If you’ve been around Radical Mentoring for any length of time, you’ve probably heard us say, “RM is a facilitation model . . . not a teaching model.” Or “the best teachers may not make the best mentors.”
It’s something we harp on because, as we’ve seen time and time again, the quality of a mentoring group starts with the mentor. We absolutely need good, strong teachers, but mentoring groups aren’t the best use of their skillsets. A teacher has a point to make, while mentors are there to guide.
The mentor is still responsible for setting (and controlling) the agenda, and he still gets to focus on what he thinks is essential, but a good mentor is responsive to his group and their issues and needs.
The best mentors are ones who can listen, ask good questions, bring others into the conversation, and tell a relevant story to make a point. They let the conversation run when it’s going in a good direction but cut it off as soon as it loses its point.
Even if you’re not a natural facilitator, it’s something you can develop. Here are some resources to help you 1) leverage the group, 2) manage your meeting, 3) ask good questions, and 4) deal with any anxiety you harbor.
Above all else, love your guys, be yourself, be flexible as the Holy Spirit leads, and remember you’re doing important work.
The power of the group is one of the “ah-ha’s” of Radical Mentoring. In this short video, RM founder Regi Campbell shares his thoughts on group dynamics and some best practices on how to leverage the group throughout your mentoring season.
Watch the video here.
What do you do when your mentoring meeting gets off schedule? How do you regroup? RM founder Regi Campbell offers some practical guidance and reminds us that the point of Radical Mentoring is to intersect with guys, not just to cover material.
Read the whole post here.
A wise mentor loves, listens, empathizes, and asks more questions than gives answers. Asking good questions takes practice as well as an understanding of what makes a question good. This article shares 7 types of questions, plus how and when to use them.
Read the article here.
2020 was filled with leadership anxiety, and many were never fully equipped to manage it well. In this podcast, Steve Carter talks with pastor Steve Cuss about what anxiety actually is and how to take care of your struggles while shepherding others through worry and anxiety.
Give it a listen here.