Building the Relationship with Your Mentee

In this module we will: Learn about communication styles Determine your communication style Review what it means to be an engaged listener

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR MENTEE

Why is it important to discuss this? Getting to Know Your Mentee Why is it important to discuss this? First encounters can be difficult/awkward Mentors serve the role of relationship developer Rapport and trust building

Talk about balancing school, work, and social life. Getting to Know Your Mentee How to Get Started… Introduce yourself and ask your mentee about themselves (hobbies, favorite movies, books, music, family, community where you live, academic and career plans, etc.) Ask mentees about their hobbies, favorite books, music, family, school, academic and career plans, etc. Talk about balancing school, work, and social life. Holmes, 2006

LISTENING SKILLS

When talking with your mentee… Be clear and specific Listening Skills When talking with your mentee… Be clear and specific Use open-ended questions Provide supportive and positive guidance Avoid lecturing or passing judgement Guide your mentee through problem-solving process Holmes, 2006

ASKING QUESTIONS

Examples… What do you think? Can you tell me how to do that? Asking Questions Examples… What do you think? Can you tell me how to do that? What choices do you have? How did you do that? Who helped you make that decision? Do you have any role models (teachers, family members, friends, historical figures, etc.) who have handled this type of situation in a positive way? Are you happy with how things turned out? What would you do differently if you were presented with the situation again? Holmes, 2006

Asking Questions Why is it so important? You may witness that overtime, a student will become more capable of problem solving. This is one way that you can recognize student development – when students become autonomous.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Confidentiality Confidentiality… Successful mentors build trust and communication with their mentees.

Confidentiality Things you should to do provide confidentiality… Verbally confirm with the mentee that their conversations are only between them and the program coordinator.

Confidentiality Things you should to do provide confidentiality… Any information they share that is not related to their academic success or well-being will not be shared with the program coordinator.

Confidentiality Things you should to do provide confidentiality… Assure the mentee that they can share anything with them, as they would with a close friend.

Provide supportive and positive guidance Confidentiality Confidentiality… Be clear and specific Open-ended questions Provide supportive and positive guidance Avoid lecturing or passing judgement Guide through problem-solving process Holmes, 2006

BOUNDARIES

Boundaries Boundaries You should go back to your Defining Your Role assignment and reconsider what you’re looking to get out of this relationship…

WHAT’S NEXT?

What’s Next? Assignment and Quiz Navigate to the Assignment Page under the Building the Relationship with Your Mentee module and select the two assignments and complete as instructed. Then complete the quiz before moving on to the next module.