Module 3:�Mentoring Agreement & Environment
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welcome
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What’s in it for me?
Take 2 minutes to record what you want to achieve from this session in your learning log.
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Module 3 overview
33 slides
It is important to read Module 8 which covers online mentoring including the online environment.
By the end you will you will be able to:
This module looks at how to create the right conditions for mentoring, the values you and your mentee bring to it and how to create a mentoring agreement or contract.
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Discussing values
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Discussing values
You will find out more about each other and any issues that could affect your mentoring. �
This will help you to agree what to include in the Mentoring Agreement. If you have very different values, for example, you may decide to refer your mentee to another mentor.
You should also recognise that occasionally mentees require other types of intervention such as counselling and signpost accordingly.
In your first mentoring session, you will explore each other’s values, expectations and values as well as your mentee’s mentoring goals.
“An effective mentoring relationship is grounded in empathy, trust, and respect.”
Dineen, M., & Condra, M. (Eds.). (2016). M2 Peer Mentoring Program: Training Manual. Kingston, ON: Queen’s University.
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Discussing values #2
It’s essential to discuss and record what you both expect, your values as well as what might get in the way of the mentoring in a Mentoring Agreement or contract. For example, some mentor/mentee cultural values may not be acceptable to the other. In some cases, you may both agree that your mentee should work with another mentor.
Creating the agreement with your mentee is a also great way to build rapport and trust.
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Discussing values #3
Through discussion, you will find out more about each other’s overall values, expectations and anything else that could affect your mentoring. �
This will enable you to agree what to include in the Mentoring Agreement or, even to refer to another mentor.
Recognising and valuing different perspectives, backgrounds and cultures helps to create a mentoring environment where you and your mentee trust and respect one another and want to give of your best.
It can offer you both new ways of thinking and new opportunities to explore.
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Discussing values #4
Some tips
Challenge your prejudices - we all have them :)
Be open to views that challenge your pre-conceptions
Seek to understand different perspectives and cultures
Be sensitive to others’ cultural norms, expectations and ways of communicating
Promote a climate where differences are valued and supported
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Discussing values - activity
Think about your approach as a mentor for each of the examples below:
Say how you think that you, as mentor, would deal with each issue or, if it would be better to refer the mentee to another mentor.
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Confidentiality &
Disclosure
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Self-disclosure
As you create the mentoring agreement and throughout the process, it can be helpful to the mentee for you to disclose relevant personal information about yourself - also a good way to build rapport and trust.
For example:
A mentee who has problems with deadlines may feel reassured knowing their mentor experiences similar issues - swapping coping strategies might be useful for both parties.
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Self-disclosure - some tips
Only self-disclose if you are comfortable sharing that information.
Keep it short �It’s about the mentee, not you!
… do say something like: “I know we all experience things differently but, I can relate to your anxiety about deadlines because …”
… don’t be dismissive. Because you cope doesn’t mean they will.
Not everyone experiences things in the same way so …
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Confidentiality
It’s essential to make sure that both mentor and mentee respect each other’s confidentiality and know where the boundaries are. This applies to the contents of the mentoring agreement as well as what you both say in your mentoring sessions.
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Confidentiality guidelines
Mentors should not share information about mentees without their permission (except when necessary with other members of the e-Advantage team).
Mentees should respect any personal information the mentor has shared and not disclose it without their permission.
The only exceptions are the legal requirements of the country in which the mentoring is taking place.
In England for example, the disclosure of a serious criminal offence must be passed on.
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Quick Break
Now we’ve looked at values and expectations, time for a quick break.�
After that, we’ll consider creating the mentoring agreement to capture your discussion and provide a structure for your sessions.
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Creating the
Mentoring
agreement
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Creating a Mentoring Agreement
A contract or agreement between mentor and mentee created at the start of the mentoring relationship ensures a shared understanding of the mentoring process and helps to build commitment and trust.
Without one, it is easy to lose your way, boundaries are not clear – leading to confusion or disagreement and, it may be harder for both mentee and mentor to commit to the process.
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Mentoring Agreement - purpose
As we’ve seen, it is important to make a clear mentoring agreement based on your discussions with the mentee to underpin your working relationship.
It does not have to be very long or complicated but it is a vital element of the process.
It will specify the purpose of the mentoring:�
Quick link Mentoring Agreement Template
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Mentoring Agreement - content
As you draw up the agreement, remember a mentor is not a friend, an employer, a therapist or a mother!
It will specify potential topics for discussion:�
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Mentoring Agreement - practical
Don’t forget to revisit the mentoring agreement at each session and update it when necessary, e.g. as the the mentee’s goals evolve or the time or frequency of your meetings changes.
It will specify practical arrangements:�
And, it should attach the Mentoring Code of Contact …
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Mentoring Agreement - scheduling
Agree the number of sessions you will initially plan, how long will they be? How frequent?
For example, for 1 hour per week for a month? 30 minutes online per week for 2 months?
Make sure these are recorded in the Mentoring Agreement and of course, make sure that you respect any arrangements that have been made. Being reliable, is an important component of building rapport and trust.
It is very likely the the timings you initially agree will change as your mentoring relationship progresses so just revise the agreement accordingly.
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Mentor Code of Conduct
When you are creating your mentoring agreement you should go through with your mentee the Mentor Code of Conduct (that you were given when you registered), that sets out the standards that all e-Advantage mentors agree to follow.
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Take 20 minutes to:
1.Create your ‘ideal’ mentoring agreement if you were a mentee.
OR
2. Read the Code of Conduct - why is it important, is there anything you disagree with or would change?
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Quick Break
Now we’ve looked at the mentoring agreement, time for a quick break.�
After that, we’ll consider creating the an appropriate mentoring environment.
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The mentoring
environment
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The Mentoring Environment
Paying attention to creating the right environment in which mentoring or coaching can take place is worthwhile and is an essential part of the role of a good mentor or coach.
Amanda Dudman, UK mentor and coach www.amandadudman.co.uk
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The Mentoring Environment
Also see Module 8 creating a good online environment)
Consider the environment:�
Venue is it quiet and comfortable for both of you? Will you be interrupted? Is it safe?
Accessibility – can you both get there easily? Does it meet both your physical needs - eg lifts, signage?
No distractions – turn off phones, for example and probably best not to meet at work or at home if there is a busy family.�
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Take 15 minutes to:
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Summary
In this session we explored the mentoring agreement and the mentoring environment.
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In the next session, we’ll take a look at how you build an effective mentoring relationship
You should now be able to:�
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Learning Log
What are the 2 main things you’ll remember from this session? Make a note in your learning log.
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End of Module 3
Did you achieve the goals you set for yourself at the start of this module? If not, can you pinpoint why and what you need to do to achieve them? ��It might help to look through the module again, perhaps with your mentor or a learning buddy. You can also visit our community resources pages.
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You’ve completed Module 3: Mentoring agreement & environment
Congratulations
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