3. Matching Mentor and Mentee
| Chances of success of the relationship increase if both parties: • Appreciate and complement each other in that the Mentor’s experience fits well with the skills that the Mentee wishes to develop; • Are prepared to invest time and effort in the relationship and wish to create an effective relationship; and • Have a good understanding of their reciprocal responsibilities and do not have unrealistic expectations. The Mentor should be a person with greater experience and knowledge. It is important to have a gap in status/experience which both parties are comfortable with. Mentoring is not supervision. The Mentee must have the ability to trust the Mentor and know that their confidence will be kept. To start an effective mentoring relationship the sharing of values is important. As a suggestion, have a checklist which opens up discussion with questions such as: • What’s important to your future career? • What are you most proud of achieving? • What do you value most in a friend/work colleague? • What gives you status? • Who do you admire/who are your role models? • How do you manage work/life balance?  Click to go to: 4. Building the Mentor Partnership |
