Guide Meetings for Productive Mentoring

Effective mentoring thrives on purposeful planning. These suggested meeting agendas provide a framework to guide discussions, set goals, and foster growth throughout the Leadership and Professional Development Mentoring Program. From initial introductions to exploring career opportunities and addressing current challenges, each meeting is designed to build a productive and impactful mentoring relationship.

  1. Get Acquainted, if Not Already

  2. Share Career Histories and Plans

  3. Discuss Past Mentoring Relationships: What Worked and What Did Not

  4. Discussion of Expectations

  5. Complete Mentor Agreement

  6. Schedule Next Meeting 
  1. Organize a First Draft Plan for the 6 Months

  2. Brainstorm Ideas for Activities

  3. List and Prioritize Goals

  4. Agree Upon Next Steps

  5. Schedule Next Several Meetings 
  1. Current Issue or 鈥淗ot Topic鈥� for the Mentee

  2. Any Impact Item or Event Going on in the Institution That Could Impact the Mentee

  3. Mentee Career Thoughts or Concerns

  4. Readings 鈥� Relevant Books or Articles

  5. Training Workshops Attended and Outcomes

  6. Special Projects That the Mentee Could Get Involved in 

 

Guidelines for Success

 Help to strengthen connections by building trust, following through on commitments, and engaging in collaboration.

Make Monthly Meetings the Minimum:

  1. Ensure regular meetings 鈥� plan ahead. 
  2. Schedule time to prepare appropriately for the meetings. If you agree to discuss a topic, come prepared. 
  3. Manage discussions effectively: Strive to ensure that each meeting advances the shared goals you both established. 
  4. Set clear next steps for each subsequent meeting. 
  5. Follow up on commitments. 

Grow the Mentor Relationship Through Engagement:

  1. Note upcoming 鈥渓ife events鈥� for each other 鈥� remember what is going on in your partners life and follow up. 
  2. Seek informal ways to build your mentoring relationship: These can help bring depth and solidify the relationship. If you are in different offices and you are travelling to the office of your partner for another meeting, take the time to meet for lunch, etc. 
  3. Over deliver on expectations: Go the extra mile, do supplemental homework, or make an extra call. This will deepen the trust-based relationship. 
success guideline image: vision, goal, strategy, action, success!