How do you update your mentor on your progress as a mentee?

1 Why update your mentor regularly?

Updating your mentor regularly is not only a sign of respect and appreciation, but also a way to build trust and rapport. By sharing your progress, you show your mentor that you are committed, motivated, and proactive in your learning journey. You also demonstrate that you value their input and feedback, and that you are open to learning from their suggestions and advice. Updating your mentor regularly also helps you stay on track with your goals, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and address any issues or difficulties that arise along the way.

2 How often should you update your mentor?

There is no fixed rule on how often you should update your mentor, as it may depend on several factors, such as the nature and duration of your mentoring relationship, the expectations and preferences of both parties, and the availability and schedule of your mentor. However, a good practice is to update your mentor at least once a month, or more frequently if you have specific questions, requests, or feedback. You can also agree on a regular update schedule with your mentor at the beginning of your relationship, and stick to it as much as possible. This way, you can avoid communication gaps, confusion, or misunderstandings.

3 What should you include in your update?

When updating your mentor, you should aim to be concise, clear, and relevant. Include what you have accomplished since your last update, what you are currently working on, and what help or support you need. When discussing accomplishments, highlight the results and outcomes of your actions, and how they contributed to your learning and development. When discussing current work, explain the purpose and context of your work, and how it relates to your mentoring goals. When requesting help or support, be specific and honest about your needs, and express your gratitude for your mentor's time and effort.

4 How should you communicate your update?

Communicating your update to your mentor can be done in various ways, depending on the mode and frequency of your communication. Email is a convenient and formal way to update your mentor, especially if you have a lot of information to share or need to attach documents or files. Make sure to use a clear and polite subject line, organize your update with bullet points, headings, and paragraphs, and end the email with a call to action. A phone call is a personal and interactive way to update your mentor, so be sure to prepare an agenda ahead of time and respect their time and availability. For a video call, use a reliable and secure platform, dress professionally, choose an appropriate background, and use gestures and expressions for enhanced communication.

5 How should you follow up on your update?

Updating your mentor is not the end of the communication process. After providing your update, you should follow up to demonstrate your interest, commitment, and accountability. If your mentor gives you feedback, thank them for their insights and suggestions, and explain how you will implement them or what you will do differently. Additionally, if they assign you tasks or actions based on your update, report on them as soon as you complete them or make progress. If they don't give you feedback, seek it proactively and respectfully by asking specific and open-ended questions. By following these tips, you can communicate your update effectively and make the most of your mentor's guidance, support, and feedback.

6 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?