Advising Styles and Skills
Styles: There are four different styles advisors may adopt in approaching the students they work with.
| Style |
Description |
Level of Student Development |
| Directing |
- Provide specific instructions
- Organizational activities are closely supervised
- Advisor is looked to for help in leading the organization
- Organizational tasks are told directly to students
|
Low |
| Coaching |
- Advisor continues to direct and closely supervise task accomplishments
- Explain reasoning behind decisions and organizational procedures
- Active seeking of suggestions from the organization
- Organization's progress is supported and encouraged
|
Low/Medium - some student leaders exhibit a higher level of development |
| Supporting |
- Movement towards facilitating and supporting the organization's efforts
- Responsibility for decision making moves towards the leaders of the organization
- Encourage and provide information as seen fit
|
Medium - students are beginning to understand concepts leading to success |
| Delegating |
- Empower student made decisions
- Facilitate problem solving as needed or asked
- Students control delegation and task assignments
- Students have full ownership over the organization, its accomplishments, failures, and successes
|
High |
Skills: As an organization develops, changes, and moves forward, the advisor will employ different skill sets
|
Flexibility
|
Each student will have a different set of needs, which will be influenced by a variety of situations and circumstances. Effective
advisors are able to adjust their style of advising as their student interactions vary.
|
|
Diagnosis
|
Advisors should think of themselves as a medical doctor. What the student or organization needs must be determined; many times
what is needed will not align with what the student wants. Be prepared for negative responses with the understanding that
learning will take place. A lesson now will help the student and organization in the future and as they move through life.
Approach the new situation as a supporter, help them through the problem.
|
|
Contracting
|
Organizations choose their advisors for a reason and have a certain set of expectations. As the organizational leadership
changes, it may be helpful to discuss their preferred advising style. Making this agreement in advance will help both the
student and advisor understand the expectations of the relationship for future interactions.
|
