Mentoring Expectations

Mentor/Protege Mutual Expectations

Successful mentor-protégé relationships should be fulfilling and beneficial for all involved. Use these tips for a more effective and productive relationship:

  1. Keep communications open

Mentor: Help your protégé set realistic expectations. Also, if you know you will be unavailable because of business or personal travel, let them know.

Protégé: Be upfront. Let your mentor know what your goals are and what you hope to take away from the program.

  1. Offer support

Mentor: Encourage communication and participation. Help create a solid plan of action.

Protégé: Remember that your mentor is there for you, but is only a guide.

  1. Define expectations

Mentor: Help set up a system to measure achievement.

Protégé:  Review your goals. Make sure your mentor knows what to expect from you.

  1. Maintain contact

Mentor: Respond to your e-mails. Answer questions and provide advice, resources and guidance when appropriate.

Protégé: Be polite and courteous. Keep up with your e-mails and ask questions.

  1. Be honest

Mentor: Be truthful in your evaluations, but also be tactful.

Protégé: Let your mentor know if you don’t understand something or have a differing opinion.

  1. Actively participate

Mentor: Engage in your own learning while you are mentoring, collaborate on projects, ask questions and experiment.

Protégé: Listen. Ask if you can observe your mentor’s work if they are local.

  1. Be innovative and creative

Mentor: Share your ideas, give advice and be a resource for new ideas.

Protégé: Offer ideas on what activities and exercises you can do together.

  1. Get to know each other

Mentor and Protégé: Remember that people come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Get to know each other on an individual basis.

  1. Be reliable and consistent

Mentor and Protégé: The more consistent you are, the more you will be trusted.

  1. Stay positive

Mentor: Recognize the work the protégé has done and the progress made.

Protégé: Remember that your mentor is offering feedback and not criticizing.