Mentee Competency Checklist

Framework curated by Meghann Coleman, Director at MindFrame Connect
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What makes a good mentee?
Talk to different people and you will quickly find that everyone has a different definition of what makes someone effective.
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At MindFrame Connect, we’ve done extensive research on this – speaking to over 150 mentors and mentees – and it became clear that there is a recipe for success.

To begin, a mentee must be willing to learn and be prepared to own the relationship. Beyond these points, an effective mentee needs a combination of the following:

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Respect

• Recognizing the value of the mentor’s knowledge, experience, and background
• Ability to use the mentor’s time and efforts effectively
• Openness to learn about mentor’s personal background and acknowledge how they bring different perspectives from your own (i.e. age, race, gender, sexuality, region)
• Ability to connect on a personal level
• Ability to offer constructive and respectful feedback to mentor
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Learn

• Openness to learn from others
• Ability to identify gaps and ask for help
• Willingness to receive and accept constructive feedback and offer feedback to mentor in return
• Ability to filter advice and analyze the best path forward
• Ability to reflect critically before and after meeting
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Lead

• Ability to lead the relationship: set the agenda, establish purpose of meetings, come prepared, own the follow-up, ask good questions, set goals, and take notes
• Commitment to following-through and being accountable
• Willingness to challenge mentor
• Confidence to walk away from mentors who are not a fit
• Openness to new ideas and different perspectives
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Grow

• Ability to articulate plans for growth and inspire mentors to support your journey
• Willingness to set ambitious goals
• Ability to identify when additional mentors may be needed
• Ability to recognize when it’s time to end mentoring relationship and acknowledge mentor for their contributions
• Commitment to pay it forward to future mentees!

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