ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the nature of communication – its power, limitations and influence within mentoring – and strategies that can be used to enhance communication between mentors and mentees. According to E. Berne communication forms part of a transaction between people, which may be analysed in order to judge what ‘ego state’ an individual is in at the time of communicating. An ego state might be defined as a set of thoughts and feelings that are linked to behaviours. Communication comes in all shapes and sizes and the messages we experience on a daily basis also assume different levels of importance and meaning. An important aspect of mentoring is to ensure that the mentee feels supported within the relationship; effective communication is essential in this process. By exploring the transmission, interaction and transaction metaphors of communication have considered the impact of relationship, context and paralanguage.
