Go prepared to meetings with your mentor.

When starting out in a career, it’s a good idea to seek out someone – whether formally or informally – to act as a mentor or coach.

And to get the most out of this kind of relationship, Sunnybrook’s Vice-President of Human Resources Marilyn Reddick has some tips for you:

1) It’s not all in a name: A mentorship relationship is a personal one. Don’t pick just by title. Approach someone who you know is a good leader and can offer you guidance and practical advice.

2) Make the time and keep the time: If you say you will meet the first Thursday of each month, do so. Even if it means you will both have to stay an hour late that night.

3) Set some goals and ground rules: Outline what it is you want gain from your meetings. Set a goal and a vision for your relationship. Go to meetings with questions already prepared.

4) Go forth and conquer: In both clinical and other mentorship relationships, at the end of each meeting, it is helpful if you leave with a task or goal. Do something. “For example, I was working with a woman who really had a difficulty receiving and giving praise. It simply wasn’t a part of her upbringing and she felt very uncomfortable with it. So, when we worked together, I said, ‘This week, I want you to think of one way of praising a team member. And I want you to do it.’ We thought of some examples and she followed through.”

“To get the most out of this kind of relationship, you have to be an active participant and reflect on what you are learning.”

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