Successful mentors know that beeing consistent, reliable and making and keeping promises, they build trust with their mentoring partner – the first step in the mentoring relationship. By reaching out and being available, asking the right questions at the right time and engaiging in honest conversation with the mentee, you create a safe environment to discuss assumtions and beliefs about life.

1. Share your personal stories and experiences. There is enormous value and learning attached to storytelling and the sharing of experience. Consider sharing what has worked for you as opposed to telling the mentee what to do. It is just as important to share what did not work for you, too. The stories often provide clarity and make it easier for the mentee to make decisions.
2. Explore your communication and learning style. Communication and learning styles can be one of the biggest stubling blocks inside a mentoring relationship. By having a pulse on your mentees style and reaffirming your own, you can be much more effective working towards the goals and building a relationship. Exercises to assess your communication and learning styles you can be find on the project website (www.doing2learn.eu) in our online communication handbook.
3. Do not be afraid to say that you don´t know. If you don´t have the answer to a question the mentee has asked or lack of expertise, be up front about it. You will gain credibility by being honest. If you don´t have someone within your immediate network who can help, consider making some inquiries to see if someone you know might be able to connect you with someone that can help.
4. Reflect upon your conversation with your mentee. Discuss your observations after spending time together. To make this a meaningful experience for both of you and to give the relationship some direction, consider some of these questions:

What are the goals for this young person?

How will I help the mentee to achieve them?

Will I give the mentee something to read or review?

What are my goals?