For all my efforts in locating mentors for future CCIEs I had not given much
time to sharing my thoughts on what makes a good mentor. Who would make a good
mentor seems to be easy enough. In this case a CCIE with a 4 digit number indicates
the person has been in the industry for some time. They will have recertified
and watched the emerging technology take hold and have an impact on the real
world. While more recent CCIEs will have the testing and lab experience fresh
and often they benefited from a mentored.

But what makes a good mentor?

I have been told a happy protégé or mentee is a good indicator.
What should a CCIE mentor bring to the table? A good ear is a starting place.
Listening skills and the ability to carry on an active dialogue with an upstart
is the foundation of a good mentor. A mentor is not expected to know everything
but being an active listener is very important and the foundation.


What is an active listener? When you are with good friends or family, and carrying
on a conversation, the dialogue is probably easy and flows back and forth building
on what ever subject you are chewing over. That is active listening. Responding
on a theme and building on the subject involves active listening.

Constructive criticism may be involved when helping an upstart navigate from
point A to B. Criticism is not a bad thing if applied properly, but remember
avoid being harsh. Helping the recipient of the criticism realize the origins
and then understand them is very important. But more important is that the protégé
learns from the criticism. So ask questions, lots of questions to more fully
understand the critical thinking behind any event or action requiring criticism.
Active listening is very important to understand the protégé's
thinking.

CCIE Certification is a long challenging process with a lot of personal time
devoted to this highly prized goal. A mentor may observe some personal obstacle
or pattern of behavior which are not based upon technology. Getting personal
might be needed for the mentor to make his or her efforts effective. So be prepared
to deliver an example of work/life balance you or a peer employed successfully.
Helping the protégé become self aware, independent, realize a
purpose and experience success is the goal of any good mentor.

Active listening will take the relationship a long way. Expect to make mistakes
and expect to grow and mature through mentoring!

A good match is usually found in the less formal pairings. Forced mentoring
does not often lead to a lasting mentor relationship. A CCIE who is willing
to make the time is important since we always have demands upon our time and
it is precious. There is a cycle to mentoring which begins with building a relationship.
So don't dive into technology immediately, instead get to know each other. Talk
shop after you have established a rapport and know a little bit about each other.
Understanding the goal of your relationship is established during this first
stage of mentoring.

Direction is a big second step. Make sure that you both understand and establish
direction and the mentor's level of support. A motivated protégé
is a good protégé, just don't get stuck doing all their work.
Research and discovery are not the mentor's job.

Progress towards becoming a CCIE needs to have mile stones and a way to be
measured. Make sure to establish some indicators of progress. If you need help
establishing indicators then you need to have the dialogue with the protégé.

Be prepared for the end. You may reach the point where CCIE certification has
been achieved and there is really nothing left to do. Be ready for this phase.
It can be rewarding to realize you have actually helped someone with their future.
Always be an active listener. This is a great skill and it does not come easy
to all of us. Learn to listen is something a protégé can teach
you.

ITworld

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