WESSA Groen Sebenza Handbook 2021

Mentor-Mentee Roles

A Mentor’s Role:

A mentor is a caring guide, a wise advisor, a partner on a journey and a trusted friend.

• A mentor can serve as a mirror for the mentee. They can show the younger student who they are and who they can become.

• A mentor is one who can help the mentee feel comfortable in their own skin and appreciate their gifts while at the same time exposing them to new opportunities and modes of thinking. • What makes a mentor “a Mentor” is not that they are perfect or always know exactly what to say, but rather that they are able to form a strong connection with their mentee. This connection can serve as a catalyst for positive change and growth.

A Mentee’s Role:

• Meet with the mentor on a regular basis and keep in contact by telephone or email; • set specific times to meet and ensure that the schedule is kept (if you need to reschedule, give your mentor plenty of notice); • be willing to share their experiences, successes and failures, and observations regarding the workplace, the community, and life in general; • be willing to accept constructive criticism as well as praise; • be courteous; • respond to emails and telephone calls promptly; • not be afraid to ask for the specific type of support the mentee wants in different situations – e.g. advice, a sympathetic ear or help with problem solving. • have realistic expectations; • be critical of feedback and advice – get a second opinion if you do not agree, or discuss other options with your mentor; • realize that relationships are dynamic and may change over time; and • be honest about the relationship and let the mentor know if the relationship has to change due to changes in needs, pressures on available time, etc.

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