I'm putting together a material on mentoring PhD students. I compiled features of good mentors from old stuff & experience (thank you @FMI science!), so below is what I have. I look for comments. Anything is missing? Add it to the thread. Disagree with some point? Comment it.

Accessibility: An open door and an approachable attitude. Empathy: Personal insight into what the junior scientist is experiencing. Consistency: Acting on your stated principles on a regular basis. Patience: Awareness that people make mistakes and mature at different rates.

Honest and open communication: Ability to communicate the hard truths about the world “out there” including expectations, providing both, objective positive & negative feedback as well as informing about research objectives & risks and about all aspects of the student’s position.

Open-mindedness: Respect for each student’s and postdoc’s individuality and for working styles and career goals different from their own. Generosity: Sharing resources & benefits the lab receives, supporting former mentees beyond their contracts and institutional obligations.

Conflict management: Ability to deal with disagreements between Ph.D. students / postdocs / mentors, communicate to easy tension, and solve work-related disputes.