Many formal mentoring programs only call for one characteristic in prospective mentors and mentees: a willingness to participate. However, research has shown that there are specific mentor (and mentee) characteristics and behaviors that encourage a meaningful, lasting mentoring experience. Generally, these characteristics and behaviors fall into three categories: (1) a commitment to the relationship, (2) mutual respect between mentor and mentee, and (3) mutual trust.1 Fortunately, these attributes can be nurtured in mentors and mentees, especially when the relationship is given careful forethought. In this chapter, the mentoring relationship is examined, particularly the central elements of mutual commitment, respect, and trust. Relevant theory and research are applied and a sample mentoring agreement is appended
