A mentoring relationship is a way to build connections with experienced professionals in your field. This can help you advanced your career and develop new connections inside and outside your organization. A successful mentor/mentee relationships should be fulfilling and beneficial for all involved. This are ten areas I focused in my mentoring relationships.
Communications
The Mentee will: Be up front. Let your mentor know what your goals are and what you hope to take away from the program. The Mentor will: Help your mentee set realistic expectations. Also, if you know you will be unavailable because of business or personal travel, let them know.
Support
The Mentee will: Remember that your mentor is there for you, but is only a guide. The Mentor will: Encourage communication and participation. Help create a solid plan of action.
Expectations
The Mentee will: Review your goals. Make sure your mentor knows what to expect from you. The Mentor will: Help set up a system to measure achievement.
Contact
The Mentee will: Be polite and courteous. Keep up with your e-mails and ask questions. The Mentor will: Respond to your e-mails. Answer questions and provide advice, resources and guidance when appropriate.
Honesty
The Mentee will: Let your mentor know if you don’t understand something or have a differing opinion. The Mentor will: Be truthful in your evaluations, but also be tactful.
Participation
The Mentee will: Listen. Ask if you can observe your mentor’s practice if he/she is local. The Mentor will: Engage in your own learning while you are mentoring, collaborate on projects, ask questions and experiment.
Innovation and Creativity
The Mentee will: Offer ideas on what activities and exercises you can do together. The Mentor will: Share your ideas, give advice and be a resource for new ideas.
Personality
The Mentee and Mentor will: Remember that people come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Get to know each other on an individual basis.
Consistency
The Mentee Mentee and Mentor will : The more consistent you are, the more you will be trusted.
Positive Attitude
The Mentee will: Remember that your mentor is offering feedback and not criticizing. The Mentor will: Recognize the work the mentee has done and the progress made.