Why is the Mentoring Agreement Important?
After mentors and mentees agree to work together, the mentoring agreement serves as the backbone for the mentoring relationship. The mentoring agreement provides the framework for the scope of the relationship and it ensures clarity of expectations for both parties; it is considered a living document. Either the mentor or the mentee can discuss it or provide feedback on it at any time during the mentoring relationship. While the mentoring agreement will always include the mentee’s learning needs and development goals, there are several other factors that may be covered in the mentoring agreement: • Ways the mentee will be held accountable for his/her development • Confidentiality standards • An ideal schedule for the meeting • Ways you and your mentee will monitor progress Using the agreement as the foundation for the mentoring relationship will allow mentors and mentees to stay focused as they handle the intangible qualities of the mentoring relationship.
