TIPS FOR MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR EXPERIENCE

Be Patient:
Building trust takes time.

Praise:
A word of support and understanding is a welcome respite in a critical world.

Maintain Boundaries and a Positive Environment:
Refrain from discussing personal problems. Also, do not allow each other to engage in "bashing" of departments.

Ensure Confidentiality:
Discuss the need for confidentiality at the first session to increase the possibility of open discussions between each other.

Celebrate Differences:
Your mentee may not experience their work environment in the same manner as you. Encourage their creativity and ideas even if they are different from your own.

Be Honest:
It is important that your mentee receive information complimenting their strengths as well as areas in which they need development. Don't be afraid to make suggestions.

Have Fun:
The mentoring process should not be all work and no play. A little humor often paves the way to more open and vibrant team discussions.

WHAT A GOOD MENTOR IS:
- Listens well and treats the conversation with the mentee as confidential - Determines what is important to a mentee and explore their ambitions, propensities, and skills - Knows the importance of the learning process by creating a candid and open relationship to promote confidence and trust. - Accepts the fact that in some cases a mentee may need to seek other sources of assistance and help. - Appropriately trained and has vast knowledge in mentoring - Should have a professional approach in mentor-mentee relationship - Refrain from mentoring those who are directly reporting to them, no matter how professional the relationship is, this will avoid other colleagues to think that the mentor may influence some matters pertaining to the issues concerning the mentee's decision and position.

WHAT A GOOD MENTEE IS:
- Very enthusiastic to be taught and trained and is liberated to new ideas or concepts - A team player who can interact well with other people - A risk taker who is not afraid to go beyond the boundaries of safety and venture into uncertainties to learn - Patient enough to realize that an ambition in life cannot be acquired overnight - A positive attitude, even in the midst of a crisis - Demonstrates inventiveness and resourcefulness in any task assigned - Accepts feedback, negative or positive, about behavior and skills, with an intention to improve and learn from it.

If at any time you have any questions about the program, please discuss them with Matt Wagner. She can be reached at 440-788-7479 or by e-mail at mwagner@nacda.com.