Best Boundaries to Have in Place as a Mentor

As a mentor, establishing clear boundaries is essential to ensure a productive, respectful, and mutually beneficial relationship with your mentee. These boundaries provide a framework that defines both parties’ roles, expectations, and limits. While the specific boundaries may vary depending on the mentorship context and individuals involved, here are some of the best boundaries to have in place as a mentor:

Time and Availability:

Clearly define your availability and preferred communication channels. Set specific times for meetings or check-ins and communicate your response time for emails or messages.

Frequency of Interactions:

Decide how often you’ll interact with your mentee. Whether weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, setting a regular cadence for meetings or updates ensures consistency without overwhelming either party.

Duration of Sessions:

Determine the length of your mentoring sessions in advance. This ensures that your meetings are focused, productive, and respectful of your and your mentee’s time.

Scope of Advice and Expertise:

Clarify the areas in which you can provide guidance and expertise. Make clear which topics are within your knowledge and experience, and identify areas where you cannot offer valuable insights.

Confidentiality and Privacy:

Establish guidelines for the confidentiality of discussions. Assure your mentee that sensitive information shared during the mentorship will be kept confidential unless there are legal or ethical reasons to share it.

Personal Boundaries:

Maintain a professional distance and avoid sharing overly personal information. While building rapport is essential, oversharing can blur the lines of the mentor-mentee relationship.

Feedback and Constructive Criticism:

Discuss how you’ll provide feedback and constructive criticism. Establish a constructive feedback approach that focuses on growth rather than judgment. Encourage your mentee to be receptive to feedback and willing to make improvements.

Frequency of Check-Ins:

Decide how often you’ll touch base with your mentee outside formal meetings. Setting boundaries for casual check-ins ensures that your availability is balanced and respectful of your time.

Referrals and Introductions:

Specify how you’ll handle referrals or introductions to your contacts. While connecting your mentee with others is beneficial, establish boundaries around how often you’ll facilitate such interactions and the criteria for making these connections.

Goal Ownership:

Encourage your mentee to take ownership of their goals and decisions. While your guidance is valuable, emphasize that the ultimate responsibility for progress lies with the mentee.

Personal Development vs. Personal Issues:

Differentiate between mentoring related to personal development and mentoring that delves into personal issues. While some overlap may occur, establish a boundary between offering professional guidance and acting as a therapist or counselor.

Ending the Mentorship:

Discuss the process for ending the mentorship. Communicate the duration of the mentorship and the circumstances under which it might conclude.

Setting these boundaries provides a structure that fosters a healthy mentor-mentee relationship. However, remember that boundaries are not rigid barriers but guidelines for a positive and effective partnership. Flexibility and open communication are key to ensuring that the boundaries you establish continue to serve your and your mentee’s growth and well-being.

Read Scott Gelbard’s recent article about boundaries and mentorship on his site!