This document discusses mentor-mentee relationships. It defines mentoring as helping others manage their own learning to reach their potential. The role of the mentor is to understand professional processes, provide support and feedback, and help mentees develop skills and find opportunities. The role of the mentee is to take charge of their development, set the agenda for meetings, and reflect on their progress. It also stresses the importance of having a mentoring agreement to define expectations and provide structure to prevent relationship issues.

1. Mentor-Mentee Relationship
Kirstie Preest
Librarian
Murray Edwards College, Cambridge

2. What is mentoring?
 “To help and support people to manage
their own learning in order to maximise
their potential, develop their skills,
improve their performance and become
the person they want to be.”
Parsloe & Leedham. (2009) Coaching and mentoring.
2nd Revised edition. Kogan Paul.

3. Role of the mentor
 To:
 understand the professional registration process
 provide support and advice when needed
 encourage mentees to develop themselves and their skills
 suggest ways to go about finding information
 be a sounding board for ideas
 help with reflection
 challenge mentees ideas and perceptions
 give constructive feedback
 pass on knowledge and experience
 suggest points of contact in the wider profession and open
doors to opportunities
 listen

4. Role of the mentee
 To:
 take charge of their own development
 set their own agenda for meetings
 ask for help and advice when needed
 think and be critical when necessary
 share their thoughts
 collect evidence
 refer back to the criteria
 reflect, reflect, reflect
 have the ability to give and receive constructive feedback
 keep in touch with their mentor
 listen

5. Mentoring agreement
 It is essential that you define and agree a
structure for the relationship together, so you
both know what to expect from each other
 review every 6 months
 will hopefully prevent relationship breaking down
 mentee to inform Cilip and send off signed Mentor
Agreement

6. What to do if it’s not working
 Discuss the problems with your mentor to see
they can be resolved
 If either or both of you are unhappy, fill in the
mentor completion form and find a new
mentor

7. Questions?