Skip to main content

Sustaining Effective Mentor Relationships

By April 30, 2012Mentor Tips

There are many ways mentors can sustain effective mentoring relationships, including:

• Maintain a steady presence in the mentee’s life. That means showing up for scheduled meetings or, when that is not possible, telling the mentee in advance, in order to avoid any disappointment. A phone call, e-mail or fax can help when a face-to-face meeting isn’t possible.

• Focus on the mentee’s needs––not the mentor’s own wants and needs. Mentors should look to improve the mentee’s prospects while respecting the young person’s life circumstances and perspective. This includes not trying to transform the mentee or impose the mentor’s own values on the mentee.

• Pay attention to the mentee’s need for fun.