The Mentee's Guide: Making Mentoring Work for You

CHAPTER 4

ESTABLISHING AGREEMENTS WITH YOUR MENTOR

WHEN MENTEES PROACTIVELY establish agreements they are more likely to achieve their desired learning outcomes and experience greater satisfaction from their mentoring relationship. Whether you are engaged in informal mentoring or in a more formal mentoring relationship, establishing agreements up front will ensure that your learning and the relationship stay on track.

The process of establishing agreements requires its own conversation to clarify mutual expectations, accountability, and outcomes. The agreements made during these “negotiating conversations” become the guideposts for balancing learning and the relationship. With agreements in place, obstacles are less likely to derail you ...