Establish Guidelines

• When starting a mentoring relationship, the mentor and mentee need to meet in a neutral, public area -- away from the work environment -- to set ground rules for the mentorship. Meeting in a neutral location such as a coffe shop can build trust and allow both parties to openly share and talk about issues. During the first meeting, the mentor and mentee should collaborate on the best type of mentoring relationship that fits their situation. For example, if you’re mentoring a law student, you and the mentee may agree to only discuss law school issues like finding a summer job, as opposed to personal problems. Also discuss the roles and responsibilities each of you have in relation to the mentorship and to each other. Whether you discuss mutual expectations and boundaries during your first meeting or second, you should talk about them as soon as possible. Create a contract that outlines everything you’ve discussed in your meeting. The mentor and mentee must each have a copy.
  
  

Mentor

• Providing feedback is one of the important aspects of a mentoring relationship. This is also the most difficult aspect of mentoring, however. You shouldn’t provide feedback to solve a mentee’s problems. Instead, you should provide specific, thoughtful and constructive feedback. Get the mentee to examine different aspects of her problem; provide multiple avenues to reach a solution. A mentor should listen to the mentee’s question and guide him to the answer. Ask questions like “why” or “how” to help the mentee develop critical thinking skills.
  
  

Track Progress

• Because a mentoring relationship is a progressive one, the mentor and mentee should periodically meet to discuss their original contract. Use this time to determine if any changes are required. For instance, you should meet with the mentee every six months to ask if her goals have changed or if the relationship is still meeting expectations. Talk about and celebrate successes.
  
  

Considerations

• Both the mentor and mentee must make the best use of their time together. For example, both parties should schedule meetings in advance and keep all appointments. Prepare for the meetings. If you’re the mentee, write a list of things you want to discuss during the meeting, such as grades or what to do about a problem professor. The mentor shouldn’t multi-task during meetings. Instead, give your full attention to the mentee during each meeting without emailing or checking cell phone messages.