Role
Mentors provide guidance, advice, feedback, and support to the mentee, acting as role model, teacher, advisor, counselor, sponsor, advocate, and ally, depending on the specific goals negotiated with the mentee.
Responsibilities
- Establishes with the mentee his/her explicit goals and objectives for the relationship
- Takes initiative in the relationship, but leaves it up to the mentee to take responsibility for his/her growth, development, and career planning
- Commits to maintaining the relationship for the specified period of time
- Commits to meeting with the mentee on a regular basis (typically not during the mentee’s work hours; at least one hour per month)
- Actively listens to the mentee
- Provides open, honest, and constructive feedback
- Encourages and assists the mentee in identifying professional development activities
- Maintains confidentiality
- During and at the end of a formal, long-term relationship (6-12 months), discuss the goals and objectives of the relationship.
- Makes sure mentees follow through on their commitments
- Respects the limits of the mentee
- Declares one’s limits explicitly
- Identifies and resolves conflicts in a caring manner, invites discussion on differences with the mentee, and enlists a third party if necessary
- Provides only positive or neutral feedback to others about the mentee; if disagreements arise over behavior or values, shares those differences with the mentee; if necessary, ends the mentorship and tries to find a new mentor for the mentee
- Respects the mentee’s personal life while maintaining a professional relationship; does not expect to be close friends
- The relationship ends at the agreed-upon time
RELATED ARTICLE: THE BENEFITS OF HAVING A CAREER MENTOR
