How can you show appreciation to your mentors and role models?

1 Express gratitude

One of the simplest and most powerful ways to show appreciation to your mentors and role models is to express gratitude. You can do this verbally, in writing, or both. Tell them how much you appreciate their time, guidance, and encouragement. Be specific about what you learned from them, how they helped you grow, and what outcomes you achieved thanks to their influence. A heartfelt thank-you note, email, or message can go a long way in making them feel valued and respected.

2 Share your success

Another way to show appreciation to your mentors and role models is to share your success with them. Let them know how you applied their advice, feedback, or example to overcome a challenge, improve your performance, or reach a milestone. Show them the results of your efforts, such as a project, a presentation, or a recognition. Invite them to celebrate your achievements with you and acknowledge their contribution to your progress. This will demonstrate that you are serious about your career and that you value their input.

3 Give feedback

A third way to show appreciation to your mentors and role models is to give feedback. Feedback is not only useful for your own development, but also for theirs. You can share your observations, insights, and suggestions on how they can enhance their mentoring or role modeling skills, or how they can benefit from your perspective or experience. You can also give them positive feedback on their strengths, accomplishments, and impact. Feedback can help them improve, learn, and grow as professionals and as people.

6 Pay it forward

A sixth way to show appreciation to your mentors and role models is to pay it forward. Paying it forward means passing on the benefits you received from them to others who can benefit from your knowledge, skills, or experience. You can do this by becoming a mentor or a role model yourself, or by supporting other mentoring or role modeling initiatives or programs. You can also share your story, insights, or lessons learned with others who can learn from your example. Paying it forward can show that you honor their legacy and that you are committed to making a positive difference in your field or industry.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?