Three​ ​key​ ​roles​ ​mentors​ ​play​ ​in​ ​their​ ​mentor/mentee​ ​relationship​ ​include:

Adult​ ​Friend​-​ ​building​ ​a​ ​relationship​ ​where​ ​you​ ​are​ ​a​ ​trusted​ ​adult​ ​friend​ ​to​ ​your​ ​mentee​ ​includes:

o Consistency
o Working towards equal power in the relationship
o Honoring rules and guidelines of your mentee’s parents and caregivers
o Validating your mentee’s feelings

Being a caring adult friend begins with active listening. To brush up on essential listening tips and the 70/30 rule, click here

Role Mode​l– ​A good role model acknowledges their mistakes, apologizes, and treats others the way they want to be treated. Mentors are in the right place to model these behaviors. Role models do not send the message “be like me” but rather set an example that encourages their mentee to be their best selves. To review important qualities of a role model, click here.

Nurturer of Possibilities​- ​One way mentors can nurture possibilities in our mentees is share the benefits of setting goals. Goal setting can help your mentee have a sense of empowerment and control over his/her present and future. To learn more about teaching your mentee to set goals, click here.

Adapted from Mentoring Central, Building the Foundation. www.mentoringcentral.net