1. Be clear about your expectations and your boundaries.  Set up goals and communicate them.  Review goals, objectives, and expectations regularly.

  2. Be honest.  Give and receive constructive feedback.

  3. Avoid being judgmental.  Assessment of strengths and weaknesses, however, is an important part of mentoring.

  4. Maintain agreed-upon contract.  Consistent contact and dependability build trust and strengthen the relationship.

  5. Don't expect the mentor to have all the answers.  The mentor's greatest gift is having the mentored discover his/her own solutions to problems.

  6. Expand support networks and increase access to resources when possible.

  7. Respect confidentiality.  Professionalism demands this.

  8. Recognize that not all mentoring relationships are effective.  Failure to achieve the mentored's goals can occur for a variety of reasons.  New relationships can be established.

  9. Respect each other's time.  Be prompt, focused, dependable.

  10. Stay focused on the goals and objectives of the one being mentored.