Mentor + Mentee
Two brothers. One agreement. Shared accountability.
Mentors and mentees must communicate openly and effectively with one another. The relationship works when both brothers prepare, show up and hold each other to what they agreed.
Together
TrustPreparationAccountabilityCommunicationGrowth
Expectations
What each brother brings
Eagerness to Learn
- Bring a genuine desire to grow.
- Be candid about your development needs.
- Put what you learn into real practice.
Take Ownership
- Schedule the meetings.
- Prepare the agenda.
- Identify your development needs.
- Ask questions and stay curious.
- Complete the actions you agreed to.
Be Coachable
- Be honest and authentic.
- Accept constructive feedback.
- Be willing to get outside your comfort zone.
- Ask for help when you are stuck.
Be a Team Player
- Communicate openly.
- Listen to learn.
- Cooperate and contribute.
- Maintain a positive attitude.
Share Your Goals
- Your background and interests.
- The outcomes you want from the year.
- Your availability.
- How you prefer to learn.
The Mentor's Approach
- Listen first.
- Ask thoughtful questions second.
- Advise third.
The mentor's job is not to have every answer. The mentor's job is to help the mentee develop the judgment, confidence and tools to discover answers and lead effectively.
For Mentees
What you gain
A Personal Guide
One-on-one time with an alumnus invested in your growth.
Real-World Perspective
Leadership and career insight from someone who has been there.
Skills That Compound
Leadership, teamwork, communication, judgment, confidence and habits that extend beyond graduation.
A Wider Network
Relationships and introductions that can expand your opportunities.
For Mentors
Give a Few Hours. Leave a Lifelong Impact.
Brotherhood for Life
Generations of brothers investing in the next.
What it involves
- Complete Mentor Training.
- Meet twice monthly.
- Share leadership and professional experience.
- Ask questions before giving answers.
- Provide guidance and encouragement.
- Encourage growth and follow through.
What it takes
A few hours each month, an open mind, consistency and a willingness to listen without judgment.
What you gain
The satisfaction of shaping a younger brother, renewed connection with Illinois Epsilon and an opportunity to strengthen the future of SigEp.
Leave a Legacy.
Your undergraduate years may end. Your responsibility to brotherhood does not. Mentoring gives experienced brothers the opportunity to pass forward the judgment, perspective and leadership lessons they gained along the way.
Ask Your Mentor
Prompts that make a one-on-one worth the hour
- “What leadership challenge are you facing right now?”
- “Where could you delegate instead of doing everything yourself?”
- “What conversation have you been avoiding?”
- “What decision are you struggling to make?”
- “What outcome would make our next meeting successful?”
- “What does accountability look like in this situation?”
- “What is one leadership behavior you want to improve before our next meeting?”