170 | COSERE they may reach the point where they’ll play devil’s advocate for themselves. Ironically, this helps both parties to grow in their respective ways, enriching the relationship and the knowledge they may bring to others. • Facilitate Learning Opportunities Mentorship is a transference of knowledge, so the mentor must be familiar with and adept at creating learning opportunities that correspond to the mentee’s learning style. For the learning to take place, the mentee-centred approach is crucial, i.e., getting to know your mentee beyond the learning style; mentors should foster a relaxed, yet productive atmosphere and utilize active listening skills. Not only does this serve the goal of the mentorship, but it also builds rapport and trust, which further contribute to the overall quality of the relationship between the mentor and the mentee. • Provide Feedback Going Both Ways Both the mentor and the mentee have a responsibility to each other to share feedback. The mentor needs to know if the guidance they are supplying is being absorbed by the mentee and if it is useful to furthering the mentee’s understanding and knowledge base. At the same time, the mentor should be offering feedback to the mentee with regard to their understanding of the progress being made and if the guidance being provided is being followed as expected. By sharing honest opinions on how the relationship is developing, both parties are able to plan for the next stage of development and open up new avenues to explore. • Follow-through and Avoid Generic Tips One responsibility for a mentee is follow-through. No matter how fabulous the mentor’s advice, if it isn’t put into practice, it’s moot! By the same token, it’s imperative that a mentor tailor said advice to each client. It may seem easier to proffer generic tips, but a wise mentor will take the time to get to know each mentee to understand how best to adjust their guidance. • Share Core Values I would highlight “core values sharing” among several responsibilities of a mentor and a mentee. Once both sides share core values, there is great development in their relationship. Otherwise, when one of the sides has incompatible values, it virtually turns development impossible.
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