What’s expected of me as a mentee? 

As a programme mentee it is up to you to bring about positive change and to lead your own development.  Your mentor can provide guidance, encouragement, and support, but they cannot do things for you.  Mentoring relationships work best when there is mutual respect, clear boundaries, and a shared understanding of the purpose and timeframe.  Mentoring is a foundation for growth. 

If you join as a mentee, you should be prepared to: 

• Have clear reasons for wanting a mentor and personal goals to work towards 

• Commit around 1 hour every 4 to 6 weeks for meetings with your mentor (by phone, Zoom, Teams, or in person) 

• Attend mandatory monthly online training sessions 

• Take part in optional networking and skill-building opportunities 

• Actively lead the mentoring relationship and take responsibility for your progress 

• Understand the programme’s purpose and manage your expectations

To build a successful mentoring relationship, mentees should: 

• Prepare for each meeting with your mentor 

• Identify mutual goals and create a shared action plan 

• Respect confidentiality 

• Be open to different perspectives and respectful of differences 

• Respect your mentor’s time and commitments 

• Recognise the relationship as one between equals 

• Communicate clearly, listen actively, and negotiate with tact and sensitivity 

• Work consistently towards your agreed goals 

• Understand and respect the boundaries of the mentoring relationship 

• Be punctual and avoid cancelling meetings when possible 

• Be aware of each other’s limitations and capacity

How you can support your mentor 

• Be clear about your objectives and regularly reflect on your needs 

• Set and maintain clear boundaries around the mentoring relationship, including start/end dates and how often you will meet 

• Clarify what you want to focus on, whether that’s professional development alone or broader aspects of your life.