Ask HN: How to be a good mentor?

[cvs268]

More specifically in a software engineering context, how can a mid-level Lead/Manager excel at mentoring the inexperienced engineers reporting to him/her?

Article/Book recommendations and personal anecdotes are all welcome...

[atsaloli]

Know what career paths look like and make sure your protege is progressing.

Get them experience - progressively harder projects.

I know that's not specific, but it does work (LOPSA Mentor of the Year 2011 here and I've mentored quite a few sysadmins.)

Of course there's http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mentorship

Thanks for giving back!