Modulo1_KHEIRON_EN

Open communication and honesty: Managing expectations also means that if something isn’t working, it should be discussed openly and early. A mentor should provide honest, constructive feedback, and a mentee should feel comfortable expressing concerns or suggesting a different approach. For example, if the mentee was hoping for more academic guidance but the mentor is focusing more on emotional support, it’s perfectly valid to adjust the direction of the sessions. This kind of openness prevents disappointment and reinforces collaboration. Both parties should remember that a successful mentoring relationship requires mutual commitment and ongoing adjustments. Setting shared goals and clarifying expectations from the start lays the foundation for a productive and rewarding mentoring relationship. An organized mentor can help the mentee define objectives and develop a plan, but should also manage expectations carefully—avoiding promises they can’t keep and not getting discouraged by slow progress. With realistic goals, clear boundaries, and open communication, many potential issues can be avoided, creating an environment that supports continuous learning and improvement. 10 Plan a flexible path: Once goals are set, the mentor can help outline a step-by-step action plan. However, circumstances may change, so it's important to build in flexibility. Both mentor and mentee should be open to revising goals along the way. Maybe the initial goal was too ambitious and needs to be adjusted, or a more urgent priority emerges. Reviewing progress regularly, say, once a month, and giving each other feedback will allow them to adapt the plan and keep it realistic. Practical exercise If you were acting as a mentor, what three questions would you ask at the start to understand your mentee’s expectations? Now flip the perspective: if you were the mentee, what would you ask or suggest to your mentor to make the most of the experience? Write down your answers and compare them. This will help you understand the importance of discussing expectations from the very beginning.