You're a new mentee in business management. How can you make the most of your mentor's expertise?

1 Set clear goals

Before you start your mentorship, think about what you want to achieve from it. Do you want to improve your leadership, communication, or problem-solving skills? Do you want to learn more about a specific aspect of business management, such as strategy, finance, or marketing? Do you want to explore new career paths or opportunities? Write down your goals and share them with your mentor. This will help you both align your expectations and plan your sessions accordingly.

2 Prepare for each session

Your mentor is giving you their time and attention, so you should respect that by being prepared for each session. This means doing your homework, reviewing your progress, and coming up with questions or topics to discuss. You can also ask your mentor for feedback, advice, or resources that can help you with your goals. Don't be afraid to challenge yourself and your mentor with thoughtful and relevant questions. This will show your interest and curiosity, and enhance your learning experience.

4 Apply what you learn

The best way to make the most of your mentor's expertise is to apply what you learn from them to your own work and situations. Don't just listen and nod, but try to implement their tips and recommendations in your projects, tasks, or goals. This will help you reinforce your learning, test your understanding, and demonstrate your commitment. You can also share your results and outcomes with your mentor, and ask for their opinion or evaluation. This will help you measure your progress and celebrate your achievements.

5 Build a relationship

Your mentor is not just a teacher or a coach, but also a potential ally and friend. You should try to build a rapport and a relationship with them beyond the formal sessions. You can do this by showing appreciation, gratitude, and respect for their time and effort. You can also express interest in their personal and professional stories, experiences, and insights. You can also seek their guidance or support in other areas of your life or career, such as networking, education, or personal development. By building a relationship, you can strengthen your bond and trust, and create a lasting connection.

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?