Mentees should experience the personality of a mentor partner as dynamic rather than static.
An experienced and proficient mentor would ideally be capable of functioning with reasonable competence in the complete mentor role at the first session. Of course, not all mentors will be seasoned practitioners, and as continuing learners themselves, they will benefit from three directly related and enriching events:
(1) ongoing one-on-one interaction with mentees
(2) self-reflection and assessment regarding their own mentoring practice
(3) the opportunity provided by training programs to engage in critiques and receive feedback from their more knowledgeable mentor peers
However, it is important to recognize that in applying the term phases to mentoring, the focus must remain on the mentee as the primary adult learner and beneficiary of the mentor’s experience.
Certainly, a simultaneous training program provided by the sponsoring organization to enhance mentoring skills will make a meaningful difference, because skilled mentors understand how to effectively approach mentees at every stage as capable participants in the mutual attempt to improve proficiencies mentees themselves have identified and agreed to develop.