As you start into a mentoring relationship, spend a few focused minutes writing out responses to the following questions. Use them also as you and the person you mentor set the ground rules for future discussions.

What do you hope to accomplish?

What does your mentoring partner expect from this arrangement?

How will you agree to stay in contact? When is the best time and way to reach you?
How do you prefer to get information--by phone, email, fax?
How would the person you are mentoring answer the same questions?

What are some examples of situations when you might call your mentoring partner?

(For example: when working through a difficult or unusual problem, when looking for additional data--might ask for a quick "white paper," when there's information to be shared that may affect future EXPO project assignments, as follow-up for other conversations, etc.)

Give these examples to the person you are mentoring and ask for some from him or her.

back / next