What is helpful to a writer?

That is the question we are asking ourselves right now. And in our class, opinions vary. On the one hand, people feel sure that students looking for our help will be mad if we waste their time and say only nice things. On the other hand, we aren't expert editors and we aren't the professor who will ultimately give the paper a grade. So what is our role? How do we help?
At the beginning of the Hjortshoj chapter 5, there is a quote I really like:

Out beyond our ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,
There is a field. I'll meet you there.
-Jelalluddin Rumi

What are the correct rules for writing? Is it our job to know them and apply them? What is the role of the writer? If North says we are not a Fix It shop, then what are we?

Several people talked about the power of talking with someone about their writing. Beyond right and wrong, it seems to me, is content. I think writers feel supported by you (and positive about their experience) when they feel that you have taken them seriously, as a thinker and a writer. What are some ways that we can do that?