The AE Mentor Program allows AEs who are new to REALTOR® association management, or those who are experiencing challenges, to connect with seasoned AEs for guidance, advice, and support.
The AE Mentor Program is open to all REALTOR® association staff, including local, state, and MLS chief staff executives and staff specialists and can offer opportunities for association management assistance and career development support.
AEs are matched with mentors through the AE Mentor Database, which categorizes available mentors according to their location, demographics, and demonstrated skill set.
Mentees
A mentee is an individual who is being mentored by a trusted and experienced advisor. A mentee depends on a mentor for advice and guidance, commits to the mentoring process, provides an open door to questions and problems, and seeks opportunities for improvement.
- Be proactive in making clear what you want to get out of the mentor/mentee relationship.
- Ask insightful questions showing that you’ve done your research.
- Take interest in the mentor’s story and professional path.
- Understand that your mentor may have a limited amount of time to dedicate to this process; use their time wisely.
- Adopt a mindset that everyone has wisdom to share – no matter what their title may be.
Learn more and complete your mentee profile.
Mentors
A mentor is a trusted and experienced advisor who has a direct interest in the development of a less experienced individual. A mentor makes a commitment to an assigned mentee to help them grow into the organization’s culture and become a productive and effective member of the organization.
- Set realistic expectations for what you can do as a mentor.
- Build the relationship and then set goals for what you both hope to get out of the mentoring relationship.
- Hold your mentee accountable for action items between calls.
- Think of yourself as a “learning facilitator” rather than the person with all the answers. Help your mentee find people and other resources that go beyond your experience and wisdom on a topic.
- Emphasize questions over advice giving. Use probes that help your mentee think more broadly and deeply. If he or she seems stuck in an immediate crisis, help him or her see the big picture.