Equipment Leasing and Finance Association - Investing Forward

First Meeting Guidelines

Pre-Meeting Prep 

• Send Bio/Linked-In ahead of 1st meeting
• Mentee – Schedule the meeting
• Mentee – In advance of 1st meeting, send your mentor your goals and what you hope to gain fromthis program. The first meeting is important to build a foundation for a successful mentoring relationship. This meeting will set the ground rules.
• Relax and enjoy the process
• Get to know each other
• Remember the meetings are confidential so people can be open to sharing freely
• Make a commitment to regular cadence and meetings that are free of distractions
• Review the goals and lay out a go-forward approach

 Tips for Mentors 

• Keep an open mind and be willing to listen
• Understand mentee’s perspective around their goal and where you can add value. Let menteesteer achievement against the goal with your guidance
• Be open to two-way conversation with the mentee and be open to learning
• You don’t have to know everything. Encourage additional connections if needed. If the menteeasks for something that you don’t have expertise on, feel free to expose the mentee to additionalpeople or resources.
• Be careful not to try and solve the problems for the mentee, listen to their solutions and ideas andprovide guidance
• It’s easy to reminisce about your early days while offering advice, or to explain a problem basedon what you know happened in the past. Historical context can be helpful, just as long as youaren’t unconsciously using it to dismiss a challenge under the present circumstances. Stay focusedon the mentee

 Tips for Mentees 

• Set realistic expectations with your mentor
• Be respectful of the relationship, and listen thoughtfully to the insight
• Be prepared for the discussion; what actions have you taken against the goals, what worked /didn’t etc.
• Be open about your needs and providing / accepting feedback

Your Point of Contact 

Each pairing has been assigned an ELFA Mentoring Point of Contact, whom you may contact with any questions or concerns. Questions? Please contact Eboni Preston-Laurent at epreston@elfaonline.org.