Some do’s and don’ts for mentees
Do the following
- Drive the relationship
- Maintain contact
- Take the initiative in setting meeting times
- Know what you want from the relationship
- Set clear goals at the beginning – they will change
- Set up meetings with clear agendas
- Record progress and notes
- Establish realistic and attainable expectations
- Establish rapport with your mentor
- Communicate openly
- Solicit feedback from your mentor
- Be punctual and stick to deadlines
- Honour your commitments and take responsibility
- Be prepared before meetings
- Take responsibility
- Be considerate of your mentor’s pressures/time
- Earn the trust of your mentor
- Be open to constructive feedback
- Give a little of yourself – show appreciation
- Be enthusiastic
- Stay focused
- Pursue meaningful, big picture goals
Do not do the following
- Expect miracles
- Expect your mentor to do the work or tell you what to do
- Become dependent on your mentor
- Be over-awed by your mentor – mentors are doing this because they want to
- Be too passive
- Break trust
- Ask for advice on everything
- Cancel meetings at short notice
- Involve your mentor in your personal problems – he/she is not a psychologist
- Become involved personally with your mentor!
- Involve your mentor professionally in your business!
- Hang on when it is time to move on