Get to know each other- initially spend time getting to know each other, professional backgrounds, strengths, weaknesses and professional aspirations. Make sure you are both comfortable and there is good connection between you before going any further and wasting each other’s time
Identify the objectives of the mentoring relationship– analyse the development objectives, what are you trying to achieve? Is this realistic? What is the time frame? This is not just about the mentee; the mentor needs to think about what they would like to get out of this relationship as well
Set Ground rules– What roles are you both going to take? what commitments are you going to hold each other to? When are you going to meet? How are you going to meet? How often are you going to meet? How to contact each other
Don’t solve world peace– Be realistic about the objectives you are going to tackle and don’t have a shopping list. Start with one or two realistic objectives and devise a plan to tackle them
Devise a plan– use the Personal Development Template provided and review it regularly
Business People hangout together at coffee shop
Be accountable– fill in the personal development plan and review it at every meeting. Analyse how progress. This should be a living document that is updated and altered as needs, you may need to refine actions or objectives along the way. We don’t want people wasting other peoples time, time is precious so make this worthwhile.
Effectively communicate– Be honest with each other! Talk about what’s working and not working in the relationship. Provide constructive feedback and remember to always play the ball not the person! Don’t get defensive! The other person is trying to help you grow, they don’t have an ulterior motive, take the feedback on board, reflect on what is being said and use it
Listen– easy right? You would be surprised with how many people still haven’t mastered the art of listening. This is not about just hearing what the other person is saying, this is really about understanding and comprehension of what is being said, this is asking clarifying questions, e.g. so what you are saying is …….., or What do you mean XYZ? We have 2 ears and one mouth for a reason! Remember we never learn anything new by talking, only by truly listening do we acquire new knowledge
Trust- Do what you say your going to do, when you say your going to do it! Keep confidences, this is a unique relationship, whereby each party is being vulnerable, this is a privilege, don’t forget that.