Mentoring

Mentoring practicalities

Whether the mentor has been allocated as part of a programme, or has been chosen by the mentee, a relationship has to be established. The partners need to feel they can work with each other and both should feel that they gain something from the experience. Many organisations will offer training to people who mentor and those who are to be mentored.

Mentoring sessions are formally arranged and are based on purposeful conversations. Clutterbuck (2004) refers to the process as PROP -Professional, Relaxed, Open, Purposeful - for both parties. The frequency, time and place of meetings will be specified. The arrangements must be clear and agreed by each partner in the relationship, including an agreement on any limits to confidentiality in the relationship. Ground rules can be established in the early stages to avoid misunderstandings.