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Tips for Successful Mentoring

Important Clarifications

  • Mentorship starts after the mentee has been in their role for >6 months.
  • Mentees decide who is the best fit to be their mentor. Mentors can be a peer or supervisor. 
  • To develop a skill, meet monthly then less frequently based on mentee needs.
  • For long-term career planning, meeting  may occur quarterly or semi-annually.
  • Present the mentoring relationship as a growth and development opportunity.
    Use adult learning principles.
  • Exhibit exemplary/role model behavior.
  • Be interested. Don’t appear rushed.
  • Be clear about the necessity of meeting on a regular basis, even if your mentee doesn’t appear to have any issues, problems, or development needs. Expect mentee to participate.
  • Make appointments in advance.
  • Meet in an environment where there will be few, if any, interruptions.
  • Introduce your mentee to coworkers, physicians, and other significant individuals.
  • Offer guidance on the customs/culture of the unit/organization.
  • Remember, consistent interest, quality time, and friendliness builds a relationship of trust, wherein positive development occurs.
  • Publicly praise your mentee’s accomplishments and abilities.
  • Recognize and encourage potential.
  • Provide support in times of personal crises or problems.
  • Monitor your mentee’s progress.
  • Assist in making decisions through listening, support, and feedback.
  • Apply situational leadership.
  • Share appropriate life experiences to personalize and enrich the mentoring experience. Describing mistakes made in a humorous way can be especially helpful (“You wouldn’t believe what I did/said...”).
  • Encourage the mentee to take risks and learn from mistakes.
  • Agree to a no-fault termination of the relationship if it isn’t working or when the time is right.
  • Prepare your agenda to meet with your mentor considering the following:
    • Your immediate needs for the month
    • The current demands of your work
    • Feedback received from others
    • Something that went wrong recently
    • Something that went very well that you’d like to utilize more often
    • Short-term goals
    • Long-term goals
    • Questions
    • Concerns / Issues
    • Wishes
  • Meet in an environment where there will be few, if any, interruptions.
  • Clarify roles, responsibilities, and confidentiality with your mentor.
  • Utilize the relationship as a growth and development opportunity.
  • Refrain from saying, “Oh I don’t have any issues, problems, or development needs this week/month, so we don’t need to meet.”
  • Make appointments in advance and keep them. If you need to cancel, re-schedule immediately.
  • Hang in there…as you know, good relationships take time. It is the consistent, quality time together that can build a relationship of trust, wherein positive development and success can occur.
  • Agree to a no-fault termination of the relationship if it isn’t working or when the time is right.
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