Professional mentoring is the process of developing and maintaining

a trusting partnership between the mentee and mentor, such that the mentee can self-develop over the medium to long term.

The focus of conversations is on the whole of the mentee’s situation – personal and professional – to develop the mentee as a holistic individual within the framework of their career.

The mentee develops a range of career-oriented goals and timeframe for achievement.

The mentor/mentee partnership works through a range of strategies, interspersed with the mentor’s own life experiences and knowledge, to develop goal realisation actions, and manage to them.

At certain times, the mentor may adopt workplace performance coaching strategies. At other times, the mentor may act as a direct trainer or assessor, to ensure the mentee’s development is progressed.

At all times, the mentee has the responsibility for continuing the relationship, and for setting/varying the goals to be achieved.