How do you recognize and celebrate the achievements and milestones of your mentor or mentee?

For starters, stay in close enough touch with your coworkers and other people you care about (not just mentors and mentees) to know what they’re working on and what they’re struggling with. That way you can offer support as they go, as well as congratulations when they’ve taken a big step or overcome a hurdle. Nobody gets enough acknowledgment or encouragement. There are opportunities almost every day to grow someone’s flame. Here are 5 ways to do it: 1. Thank them for their support & advice 2. Tell them, I saw what you did there! You’re incredible 3. Pass on a compliment you heard about them from someone else 4. Tell them how they’ve grown since you met them – they may not be aware 5. Tell a higher-up manager about their triumphs

Make it personal: Saying “great job” is nice, but it doesn’t tell them why it mattered. Focus on specifics—like "Your report was sharp and actionable; it helped us move forward quickly." Don’t wait: Don’t hold back until the next review cycle. A quick “That presentation nailed it!” right after the meeting is way more impactful. Keep it real-time: People appreciate feedback when it’s fresh. Acknowledge achievements when they happen; it shows you’re paying attention and truly value their work.

Recognizing my clients’ achievements is pivotal in their professional journey. Despite initial hesitance, sharing successes publicly on LinkedIn is crucial for credibility. As a coach, I spotlight my clients’ accomplishments through dedicated posts, leveraging both our networks. These posts, complete with headshots and compelling narratives, not only validate their hard work but also amplify their visibility. Engaging with responses prolongs the post's reach, fostering a supportive community. Adding these posts to the Featured Section ensures lasting inspiration for others. This continuous cycle of recognition and empowerment not only celebrates individual achievements but also cultivates a culture of encouragement and inspiration.

When recognizing and celebrating the achievements and milestones of your mentor or mentee, consider organizing a small gathering or sending a thoughtful gift as a token of appreciation. For example, you could plan a surprise lunch or dinner to acknowledge their hard work and accomplishments. Remember, showing gratitude goes a long way in building strong mentor-mentee relationships.

Timely appreciation and acknowledgment of their worth on a periodic basis is essential to connect and grow together. Conscientious communication helps in channelising your feedback accurately and efficiently.

One of the benefits of friendship, mentorship or membership on the same team with someone is that you can celebrate their progress and evolution over time. It’s one thing to say, “Great job on that project!” and it’s a fine thing to say, but it’s much more impactful to say, “I remember when you first conceived of that project, and now look – you sold the idea to your manager, you planned it, you executed it, and it’s made such a big difference. That was all you!” The attention you pay to each person and their journey is so powerful. The next time they tell you,”I have a big challenge in front of me, and I’m not sure I can do it,” you get to say, “I remember when you said that before – and you killed it! “You can do this one, too.”

Keeping it real and meaningful: Make it personal: Generic words feel, well, generic. Go beyond “Congrats” and share a real story or memory that shows what they’ve done for you. Skip the canned gifts: Instead of another “You rock” mug, find something that matches their hobbies or passions. It shows you pay attention! Show up authentically: Sometimes, just a call or face-to-face chat beats any message. Let them hear your real excitement and appreciation. Simple touches like these go a long way in celebrating someone who’s made an impact.

My proven strategy is listed here. Respect the vibe: Not every moment needs a spotlight. Keep it genuine and fitting to their style and comfort level. Less is more: A well-timed LinkedIn recommendation or short message can say it all—no need for grand gestures. Ask first: If you're unsure, just ask! Some prefer low-key recognition, while others don’t mind the spotlight. Respect their boundaries. Adapt to the culture: If you’re in a formal setting, keep it professional; if it’s more relaxed, keep it conversational.

Honestly, it’s not that complicated. Most working people would kill to have someone in their corner so if you do that with good intention, and ask for feedback on the way you’re already providing an incredible and valuable service. Hats off to you!

A great question to ask is, “How can I support you today? You tell me.” They will say, let’s have dinner next month, or, I’m so swamped, I wouldn’t get anything out of a meeting now and I’d be bad company. Relationships ebb and flow. More structure in the relationship is not necessarily a good thing. It’s not what you say, or how often you say it, what channel you employ to say it or any of that. It’s how you make someone feel.

Consistency is everything when it comes to mentoring. Stay engaged: Check in regularly; don’t wait for them to reach out. Show you’re invested in their journey. Celebrate the small wins: It’s not just about the big milestones—recognize their efforts and growth, too. Be proactive with feedback: Offer advice and support whenever they hit a challenge, not just when things are going smoothly. Track progress together: Whether it’s skills gained or lessons learned, keeping a shared record shows your commitment. Consistent support isn’t just nice—it’s essential for real growth!

The deep magic in feedback! Constructive critiques, paired with recognition of small wins, create a balanced atmosphere where trust flourishes. Celebrate each victory and learn from every setback together!

Share your wins: When I landed my dream job, I made sure to tell my mentor, who was thrilled and offered valuable advice. Collaborate on goals: My mentee and I set joint objectives and celebrated reaching them together, strengthening our bond. Offer constructive feedback: I thanked my mentor for their guidance, and asked how I could improve to grow further. Celebrate small steps: I recognized my mentee's progress on a challenging project, motivating them to keep pushing forward. Pay it forward: I now mentor others, sharing the wisdom my own mentor imparted to me over the years.

In my view, it’s all about sharing, not just taking or giving. Mutual Growth: Don't just treat mentors or mentees as one-way guides. Make it a partnership. Learn from each other! Celebrate Together: Hit a milestone? Share it! Invite your mentor or mentee to celebrate wins together. Collaborate on Goals: Find projects or goals that help both sides. True mentorship is a team effort!

Sometimes in a mentoring relationship there can be an unfortunate distance and formality. A mentor may feel that as the more experienced and senior party to the relationship it wouldn’t be appropriate for them to share their struggles or appear vulnerable. That would be a shame. The youngest and most junior person in your sphere is going to give you great advice from a perspective very different from your own. Mentees often say they don’t want to use their mentor as just an advice giver. They forget that people with more experience love to give advice. It’s a way of giving back. It’s always appropriate to ask a person you have a professional relationship with, “How can I help you? What’s on your plate, that we could talk about today?”

Embrace Give-and-Take: Building trust with your mentor or mentee is a two-way street. Don’t just be a taker if you’re the mentee, or just a giver if you’re the mentor. Instead, both of you should actively give and take. Treat each other as equals and partners, not just as a source or receiver of knowledge. Celebrate each other’s wins and milestones together. Share your success stories and learn from each other’s experiences. Also, consider working together on projects or goals. This collaboration not only helps in achieving shared objectives but also strengthens your bond. Through actively engaging with one another and working together, you’ll find opportunities to learn, grow, and celebrate each other’s achievements.

A few things from my experience: Know your people: Some folks love long emails, while others prefer a quick call. Adjusting to each person’s style? Game changer. Timing is key: Not every message is urgent. Pick your moments, and avoid those after-hours emails if they can wait—people appreciate it. Be human: A quick “Hope you’re doing well” goes a long way. We’re all busy, but a bit of warmth makes communication so much easier. Follow-up matters: I sent a message, but no response. A friendly nudge often does the trick without coming off as pushy. Keep it light: If appropriate, a bit of humour can break the ice. A well-placed emoji or lighthearted comment can make your message memorable (and even enjoyable).