Mentoree Expectations

What mentorees expect from mentors

This is what we tell Mentorees about the role of a Mentor:

A mentor is someone who’s been places that you’re planning on going in business — someone who has experience in the areas that to you are uncharted. It’s their wisdom and ‘experience’ that you will be calling on.

In some cases, Mentors have networks and contacts that can help you in certain areas – but even if they don’t, they will know where to go or how to approach finding the right expert. Mentors are not employees. Generally, they are very busy individuals and will help guide and support you – but they are not there to ‘do’.

That is your job. Think of your Mentor as someone who is wise and ‘muse’-like.

A Mentor is someone you can trust with the issues facing you and the difficulties you might find hard to speak with someone else about. They have had experience building a business and so they know what it’s like. A Mentor is a wise set of ears and a wise sounding board.

As a Mentor for the HerBusiness Mentoring Program it is important that you:

• Be punctual for all arranged meetings. (Mentorees are asked to do the same.)
• Treat all mentorees with empathy and respect, valuing their independence and dignity.
• Be honest with compassion rather than just being nice.
• Give up the need to be right and focus on results.
• Use appropriate language at all times and be respectful of others and their situations.
• Maintain professional relationships with colleagues and be aware of professional boundaries between yourself and HerBusiness employees, members, mentors and mentorees.
• Take responsibility and be accountable for your decisions and actions.
• Complete and honour your agreements.
• Only make agreements that you are willing and intend to keep.
• Have integrity and reliability — do as you say you will do.
• Communicate any potential broken agreements at the first appropriate opportunity.

Mentorees expect that, as a Mentor for HerBusiness, you will be up to date with economic trends, business practices, methodologies, technology and innovations relevant to small business and entrepreneurs. It is important for you to continue your professional development and be committed to striving for personal and professional excellence.

In addition, mentorees will expect you to be fully conversant with the services, programs and resources offered by HerBusiness and to be able to recommend these to assist the mentorees with their business goals and learning objectives.
For further information, see Code of Conduct, Information Sheet and Terms of Engagement.

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