How do you end your mentoring relationship on a positive note?

1 Plan ahead

Don't wait until the last minute to announce that you are ending the mentoring relationship. Ideally, you should have discussed the duration and goals of the mentoring process at the beginning, and reviewed them periodically throughout. If not, start by having a conversation with your mentee about the progress they have made, the challenges they have overcome, and the areas they still need to work on. Explain that you are proud of their achievements, but that you think it is time for them to move on to the next stage of their career. Give them a clear timeline and expectations for the final sessions, and ask them for feedback and suggestions.

2 Celebrate success

One of the best ways to end your mentoring relationship on a positive note is to celebrate the success of your mentee. Make a list of the specific skills, knowledge, and competencies they have gained or improved through the mentoring process, and share it with them. Highlight the examples of their achievements, such as projects, presentations, awards, or testimonials. Express your appreciation and admiration for their efforts, and congratulate them on their accomplishments. You can also give them a token of recognition, such as a certificate, a card, a gift, or a recommendation letter.

3 Provide resources

Even though you are ending the mentoring relationship, you can still provide your mentee with some resources to help them continue their learning and development. These can include books, articles, podcasts, websites, courses, or events related to their field of interest or career goals. You can also suggest some potential mentors, coaches, or peers they can reach out to for further guidance or support. Encourage them to join professional networks, associations, or communities where they can find opportunities and connections.

4 Reflect and learn

Ending the mentoring relationship is also an opportunity for you and your mentee to reflect and learn from the experience. Ask your mentee to share their key takeaways, insights, and feedback from the mentoring process. What did they learn? What did they enjoy? What did they find challenging? What did they appreciate? What would they do differently? Listen to their responses with an open mind, and thank them for their honesty and trust. You can also share your own reflections, learnings, and feedback as a mentor. What did you learn? What did you enjoy? What did you find challenging? What did you appreciate? What would you do differently? Be respectful, constructive, and supportive in your comments.

6 End with gratitude

The last and most important tip to end your mentoring relationship on a positive note is to end with gratitude. Thank your mentee for choosing you as their mentor, for trusting you with their goals and challenges, for sharing their ideas and perspectives, for working hard and making progress, and for teaching you something new. Tell them how much you enjoyed and valued the mentoring experience, and how proud you are of them. Wish them all the best for their future endeavors, and let them know that you are always rooting for them. A sincere and heartfelt expression of gratitude can make a lasting impression, and leave both of you feeling satisfied and fulfilled.

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?