Effective Paraphrasing Skills for Mentors

1. Using Paraphrasing-Pages 54-57 By Still Learning Karen EhrhardtLloyd Sheryl Gold Kym Craig

2. Using Paraphrasing-Pages 54-57 3 Key Concepts or Ideas: • Acknowledging and clarifying paraphrases communicate to the protégé that they are valued and their feelings are valid. • Summarizing and organizing paraphrases help to narrow things down to the protégé’s key concerns. These paraphrases are useful when the protégé vents or has a lot to say on several different subjects. • Paraphrasing that shifts the level of abstraction guides the protégé to new discoveries by focusing the discussion on either the details or the big picture.

3. Using Paraphrasing-Pages 54-57 2 Strategies or Skills: • Intentionally leave out “I” in all of your sentences. This helps keep the focus on the protégé. • Listen to your protégé to hear whether their vision is global – they see the forest, or whether their vision is concrete and detailed – they see the trees. If the protégé thinks globally, use some paraphrasing that shifts down and grounds them in the details. Conversely, if they think concretely, use some paraphrasing that shifts up, allowing them to explore other options.

4. Using Paraphrasing-Pages 54-57 1 Way to Use as a Mentor: As a mentor, our first response would always be a paraphrase. This stops the mentor from “I” listening and from trying to problem solve for the protégé. It also establishes a caring relation- ship where the protégé feels valued and heard.