Although effective mentors must remain open to their prot g s' limits and imperfections, they learn to believe in them and recognize their potential for growth. They assist their professional development and aspirations by expanding their responsibilities. They encourage growth by looking for ways to help these associates grow and show they care about their competence. Mentors know how to move their prot g s along with high expectations and lessons about how to turn mistakes into opportunities for learning, growth, and problem solving. They listen closely, demonstrating that they value prot g s' input and showing that it makes a difference.
Successful mentors are true to their word in that their behavior matches their statements.
They exhibit enthusiasm and celebrate prot g s' success with positive stories. They are their prot g s' biggest fans. Other determinants on the part of mentor and mentee alike that contribute to effective relationships are - good communication skills insight, authenticity, and honesty a strong sense of equality and mutual respect the ability to be flexible and caring humility, an insatiable curiosity, and the courage to trust one another an absence of conditions and rules. But most of all, partners in mentoring relationships never take each other for granted. Their partnerships start and end with positive, affirmative attitudes and expression.