# Technical Mentoring — Quick Reference

## Mentoring vs Coaching vs Sponsoring

| Role | Focus | Example |
|------|-------|---------|
| **Mentoring** | Share experience and advice | "Here's how I approached this." |
| **Coaching** | Ask questions to unlock thinking | "What have you tried? What's blocking you?" |
| **Sponsoring** | Advocate for visibility/opportunity | "I'm putting you up for the lead role." |

Use all three as the situation demands.

## Dreyfus Stages — Style Guide

| Stage | They need | You do |
|-------|-----------|--------|
| **Novice** | Rules, checklists | Clear instructions, safe practice |
| **Advanced Beginner** | Context for rules | Explain why; guided decisions |
| **Competent** | Stretch, debrief | Assign ownership; review afterward |
| **Proficient** | Principles, ambiguity | Challenge; share mental models |
| **Expert** | Space, sponsorship | Get out of the way; advocate |

## Socratic Question Patterns

| Pattern | Example |
|---------|---------|
| "What would happen if...?" | "What if we didn't validate at the API?" |
| "What have you tried?" | Opens reflection; avoids re-explaining |
| "What's the constraint?" | Surfaces assumptions |
| "How would you explain this?" | Tests understanding |

## SBI Feedback Template

```
Situation: [When and where—specific]
Behavior:  [What they did—observable, not intent]
Impact:    [Effect on outcome or others]
Ask:      [What would you do differently? / What support do you need?]
```

## When to Answer vs Question

| Context | Prefer | Why |
|---------|--------|-----|
| Urgent / production issue | Answer | Speed first |
| Design decision | Questions | Ownership, deeper learning |
| First-time concept | Answer + explain | Build foundation |
| Recurring pattern | Questions | They likely know |
| Mentee stuck/frustrated | Answer or pair | Reduce overload |

## Stretch Assignment Checklist

- [ ] Clear scope (2–4 weeks)
- [ ] Slightly beyond comfort (recoverable if it fails)
- [ ] Success criteria defined
- [ ] Support explicit (availability, check-ins)
- [ ] Debrief scheduled

## Psychological Safety Practices

| Do | Avoid |
|----|-------|
| Admit "I don't know" | Acting like you have all answers |
| Normalize mistakes | Punishing or hiding errors |
| Separate person from code | "You're wrong" |
| Create low-stakes experiments | High-stakes first attempts |

## One-Page Mentoring Plan

1. **Stage** — Dreyfus level + evidence
2. **Goals** — 2–3 learning outcomes this quarter
3. **Stretch** — One assignment with criteria
4. **Cadence** — How often you'll check in
5. **Revisit** — When to adjust (e.g., mid-quarter)