Mentoring | 19
thinking. But what does it actually mean?
causes and effects of their behavior.
Simply that there is no exclusive outside
Defining goals entails acting intentionally to
objectivity in the form of numinous beliefs
accomplish them. We think of this ability to
or the nations that have always been
view ourselves as complete, responsible
constructed by society. Different beliefs and
people as a "key competency." This
models compete within each individual.
competency also definitely involves an
Without being familiar with systemic
active element, the capacity for action. This
approaches, Max Weber labeled this the
is the ability to observe, reflect on personal
“polytheism” of modernity: “It is
behavior and adjust accordingly. Reflection
commonplace to observe that something
as a result of objectified reality is
may be true although it is not beautiful and
antecedent to subjective behavior.
not holy and not good.” Several disparate 5
„Thinking reflectively demands relatively
rationalities compete in society.
complex mental processes and requires
What are people’s roles in this? Every
the subject of a thought process to
day they fill many different roles and
become its object.”6
communicate in various ways within specific subsystems. In mentorships, we focus on the capacities of individuals we want to empower. In relation to the abstract theory we ask: What are the conditions that play a part in our behavior and our mentee's behavior? How can we behave successfully in this complex world? The skills needed to lead an organization are different than those needed in a partnership. In acting as part of a volunteer project team, one achieves some degree of self-actualization, though maybe not in a role as a teacher at the university. Mentees have to strike balances between many different variables.
Basically, this takes place through the process of observation. By means of observation, people can see their behavior from a meta-perspective. People can step out of their own subjective points of view, putting themselves in positions to better analyze their situations. Where do my conclusions and opinions come from? What values do they imply? What are the alternatives? With regards to mentorship, we need the freedom to develop our own abilities to perceive. In this way, the person learning is more important than the person teaching.
Autonomy
“Anyone who observes is responding to an internal impulse, a feeling, a special
Self-awareness and autonomy are
preference, and chooses from among
imperative for successful and satisfying
numerous impressions.“7
action in different fields of society. Individuals have to understand the 5
Max Weber
6
OECD, p. 8
7
Maria Montessori, p. 71