Our partnership created multiple training resources with a goal of helping mentors with SCI use transformational leadership principles to interact with their mentees.
Handbook
Transformational Leadership: A Workshop for SCI Peer Mentors
We created a workshop handbook for SCI peer mentors to learn and use the transformational leadership principles.
transformational_mentoring_handbook.pdf
Video
After watching this video, peer mentors will know and understand:
Section 1
Physical Activity Knowledge In the first section of videos, the peer-mentor is presented:
- The latest physical activity knowledge for people with a spinal cord injury;
- Where a person with a SCI can get information on sport participation, as well as the resources available to them if they want to use sport as a way of staying active;
- Some of the barriers people with physical disabilities face when it comes to being active, as well as some coping strategies they can employ in order to overcome those barriers;
Section 2
Transformation Leadership Presentation In the second section, the peer-mentor is presented:
With a brief video on transformational leadership; a leadership style that looks to maximize the quality of the relationship with others. Transformational leaders empower those who they lead and encourage them to go beyond what they thought was originally possible.
Acting Living Leaders – Transformational Leadership
Tips & Examples
Transformational Leadership
Intellectual Stimulation
Here are some examples of how you can incorporate behaviours associated with intellectual stimulation into your interactions with your mentee.
Tip 1: Encourage mentees to tackle old problems in new ways
Example: Encourage you mentee to look beyond their disability by helping them complete tasks they thought were impossible. Start with small problems and demonstrate how you have overcome problems in hour own life.
Tip 2: Inspire mentees to think critically about their way of doing things and to share new ideas
Example: Acknowledge your mentees’ difficulties and challenges with different aspects of their lives, and help them brainstorm potential strategies to overcome such challenges. Encourage them to think of ideas themselves.
Tip 3: Help mentees develop their own creative solutions to problems
Example: Create an accepting and supportive atmosphere by showing genuine interest in your mentee’s ideas and values. It is crucial that you encourage your mentees to express their own opinions and distinctive ideas freely, and without judgment.
Transformational Leadership
Individualized Consideration
Here are some examples of how you can incorporate behaviours associated with individualized considerations into your interactions with your mentee.
Tip 1: Treat each mentee as a unique, valued individual
Example: Thank your mentee for opening up and sharing something with you. This action will show that you care for your mentee and value their thoughts and opinions.
Tip 2: Listen carefully
Example: Give your full attention to your mentee when they are talking and allow them to finish speaking before you respond. If engaging over the phone, ensure your volume is loud enough and take notes on specific items you feel are important to respond to.
Tip 3: Give specific, personalized feedback or advice that suits your mentee’s individual needs
Example: Avoid using generalized statements (e.g. you should get out more) when providing advice. Instead try to make your advice specific to your mentee’s problem (e.g., your mentee seems to be lacking in social support, so you recommend they attend a social event or join a social club in their area.)
Transformational Leadership
Inspirational Motivation
Here are some examples of how you can incorporate behaviours associated with inspirational motivation into your interactions with your mentee.
Tip 1: Encourage mentees to leave their comfort zones and explore their abilities
Example: As a mentor, be aware of the opportunities and events available to your mentee. This will enable you to provide your mentee with valuable information about all of the possible activities they can participate in.
Tip 2: Let mentees know you believe in them
Example: Encourage your mentee when they have doubts about their abilities. Be enthusiastic and offer to accompany of assist them in the activity they are finding difficult or are nervous about (e.g., taking public transportation the first time).
Tip 3: Challenge mentees to get meaningful and challenging goals that promote personal growth
Example: Be familiar with how to help your mentee set S.M.A.R.T. goals. Ensure that the goals are meaningful and important to your mentee, as this will help motivate them.
Transformational Leadership
Idealized Influence
Here are some examples of how you can incorporate behaviours associated with idealized influence into your interactions with your mentee.
Tip 1: Be a positive role model
Example: Talk to your mentee about your own values and beliefs in relation to social participation. Demonstrate your engagement by providing examples of how you remain socially active in our everyday life.
Tip 2: Lead by example
Example: Talk with your mentee about your personal experiences and show that you are prepared to do the same things you encourage your mentee to do. Avoid saying anything you cannot do or do not intend to do, and make sure you follow though when you say you will do something.
Tip 3: Be confident, energetic, engaging and respectful during interactions
Example: Always have a positive attitude when discussing social opportunities or listening to your mentees’ ideas. Being positive will show that you are excited about helping your mentee. Remember that enthusiasm and optimism can be infectious!
Transformational Leadership
Quick Reference Guide
Here is a summary of the four Transformational Leadership behaviours and how you can use them during interactions with your mentees.
Idealized Influence
- Be a positive role model
- Lead by example
- Be confident, energetic, engaging and respectful during interactions
Inspirational Motivation
- Encourage mentees to leave their comfort zones and explore their abilities
- Let mentees know you believe in them
- Challenge mentees to get meaningful and challenging goals that promote personal growth
Intellectual Stimulation
- Encourage mentees to tackle old problems in new ways
- Inspire mentees to think critically about their way of doing things and to share new ideas
- Help mentees develop their own creative solutions to problems
Individualized Consideration
- Treat each mentee as a unique, valued individual
- Listen carefully
- Give specific, personalized feedback or advice that suits your mentee’s individual needs
Relevant citations
- Shaw, R. B., McBride, C. B., Casemore, S., & Martin Ginis, K. A. (2018). Transformational mentoring: Leadership behaviors of spinal cord injury peer mentors. Rehabilitation Psychology, 63(1), 131-140. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/rep0000176
- Martin Ginis, K. A., Shaw, R. B., Stork, M. J., Battalova, A., & McBride, C. B. (2018). Pilot study of a training program to enhance transformational leadership in Spinal Cord Injury Peer Mentors. Spinal cord series and cases, 4, 34. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41394-018-0065-8
- Beauchamp, M. R., Scarlett, L. J., Ruissen, G. R., Connelly, C. E., McBride, C. B., Casemore, S., & Martin Ginis, K. A. (2016). Peer mentoring of adults with spinal cord injury: a transformational leadership perspective. Disability and rehabilitation, 38(19), 1884–1892. https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2015.1107773
