Don’t think you need to solve the actual problem for them
Do solve ‘friction’ for them as much as possible
Do feel free to look up other sources so you can offer more perspective and to take off the load of having to find relevant info
positive energy, attentive etc
if they’re functioning well just watch and listen while being interested and unobtrusive, at most very minor inputs if you’re pretty sure it’ll be helpful
If stuck at a crossroads ask them how long they think each path will take/ how hard it’ll be, and give them feedback if you think they’re wrong. Help them start working on one, people can get stuck for longer than it would take to actually do one option.
if lost, methodically go through the different areas where the issue could be and methodically go through all the directions they could take for each area and in general. You don’t need to think these up, but keep track of them and help guide towards picking apart the problem and solution spaces. This takes some mental load off.
I do things like this at times with my teams.
Important things:
Don’t think you need to solve the actual problem for them
Do solve ‘friction’ for them as much as possible
Do feel free to look up other sources so you can offer more perspective and to take off the load of having to find relevant info
positive energy, attentive etc
if they’re functioning well just watch and listen while being interested and unobtrusive, at most very minor inputs if you’re pretty sure it’ll be helpful
If stuck at a crossroads ask them how long they think each path will take/ how hard it’ll be, and give them feedback if you think they’re wrong. Help them start working on one, people can get stuck for longer than it would take to actually do one option.
if lost, methodically go through the different areas where the issue could be and methodically go through all the directions they could take for each area and in general. You don’t need to think these up, but keep track of them and help guide towards picking apart the problem and solution spaces. This takes some mental load off.