Advice for Mentors and Mentees

The keys to a successful mentoring relationship include:

  • Mutual respect and understanding

  • Active listening

  • Meeting on a regular schedule (and keeping those meetings)

  • Establishing clear goals and expectations

  • Keeping discussions confidential

For the Mentee:

  • Set realistic expectations

  • Welcome your mentor's insights and concerns

  • Be open to feedback

  • Be open and sincere about your needs and areas for growth

  • Communicate problems clearly and contribute ideas for solving them

  • Embrace your own learning process and your successes

For the Mentor:

  • Set realistic expectations for the relationship and for your mentee

  • Be available, to the greatest extent possible, whenever your mentee has a need

  • Maintain consistent contact to help the relationship develop

  • Listen with empathy and be open-minded to your mentee's needs and opinions

  • Make a conscious effort to develop the relationship through regular communication

  • Share your own successes and failures