How do you develop rapport and trust with your mentees?

2 Listen actively and empathetically

Another key skill for developing rapport and trust with your mentees is listening. Listening is not just hearing what your mentees say, but understanding what they mean, how they feel, and what they need. Listen actively by paying attention, asking questions, paraphrasing, and giving feedback. Listen empathetically by showing interest, compassion, and support. Your mentees will feel valued, understood, and motivated.

3 Adapt to their needs and preferences

Every mentee is different, and so are their needs and preferences. To develop rapport and trust with your mentees, you need to adapt to their learning styles, communication styles, goals, and challenges. Find out what works best for them, and adjust your approach accordingly. For example, some mentees may prefer more structure, guidance, and feedback, while others may prefer more autonomy, flexibility, and exploration. Some mentees may respond better to direct, assertive, and logical communication, while others may prefer more indirect, supportive, and emotional communication. By adapting to their needs and preferences, you show respect, care, and competence.

4 Set clear expectations and boundaries

Another important aspect of developing rapport and trust with your mentees is setting clear expectations and boundaries. This means defining the purpose, scope, duration, and frequency of the mentoring relationship, as well as the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of both parties. It also means establishing the rules, norms, and values that govern the mentoring relationship, such as confidentiality, respect, honesty, and feedback. By setting clear expectations and boundaries, you create a safe, reliable, and professional space for mentoring.

5 Provide positive and constructive feedback

Feedback is a vital part of any mentoring relationship. It helps your mentees learn, improve, and achieve their goals. To develop rapport and trust with your mentees, you need to provide positive and constructive feedback. Positive feedback means acknowledging and praising your mentees' strengths, achievements, and efforts. Constructive feedback means identifying and suggesting areas for improvement, as well as providing specific, actionable, and realistic advice. By providing positive and constructive feedback, you show appreciation, encouragement, and guidance.

6 Celebrate and support their growth

Finally, one of the most rewarding ways to develop rapport and trust with your mentees is to celebrate and support their growth. This means recognizing and celebrating their milestones, achievements, and progress. It also means supporting them through their challenges, setbacks, and failures. By celebrating and supporting their growth, you show recognition, gratitude, and resilience.

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?