The mentor’s job is to listen, provide constructive feedback, help their mentee consider various options, refer them to resources available and facilitate their decision-making regarding study, work or career matters. The mentor may choose to share their own experiences and, if asked, give advice. The mentor may help the mentee identify skills that could be developed, coach them and give them an opportunity to practice and receive feedback. They may act as a sounding board for the mentee’s problems, ideas or career plans, by asking questions that cause them to explore issues. Mentors may challenge the mentee’s thinking. In these ways mentors provide guidance. The mentor does not solve problems; rather they are a collaborator in a problem solving process.
Phases in the mentoring relationship
1. Starting
During the initial contact and exploration you get to know each other. This is a time to define the mentoring relationship, clarify expectations and set goals. The mentee may look to the mentor for leadership in this phase or be quite assertive about what their needs are. Rapport building is the key element. Partners can develop empathy, find common interests and recognise and value their differences.