Guidelines for Success

• Be clear on how often you will communicate; whether it will be by phone, e-mail, or other channels; how quickly you will respond; and confidentiality.

• Make contact frequently, especially during the first few weeks, to build a trusting relationship.

• Respect your mentee/mentor's experience and views even if you don't agree.

• Follow up when you make a commitment to get information, take action, etc.

• Don't ever leave your mentor hanging. If you don't respond, the mentor will feel that he/she wasn't helpful.  You never want to leave someone who has volunteered to help with this kind of impression.

• Don't ever leave your mentee hanging. If you don't respond, the mentee will feel like he/she is not valued. You never want to leave someone who has asked for mentoring assistance feeling uncertain about the relationship.

• Be appreciative of whatever you get from your mentee/mentor; learn his or her strengths and seek or offer advice in these areas.

• Work to make the relationship a two-way street. This means you should always be on the lookout for information/resources that might be of interest to your mentee/mentor.

• Be flexible and enjoy the experience!