Mentoring is a series of practices in which one person (*the mentor*) helps another (*the mentee*) acquire a new skill or understanding through direct advice and example. It's in contrast to Coaching, where the coach serves only to guide and not to teach. Both play an important role in Rhizomatic Learning.
Mentoring is particularly helpful when somebody is new to a field, as they might not have enough context to explore the discipline on their own.
Mentoring is also helpful when you want to transfer a skill, get some institutional or insider knowledge, or solve a specific problem that has been solved before.
Mentors can use tools such as pair programming, show-and-tell, explanations, advice, and storytelling.
It's important to clarify what the person is looking for. Acting as a mentor when someone needs a coach can make them feel untrusted, mansplained or micromanaged.