Keeping your mentors and network engaged is crucial for your professional development and career success. However, it can be challenging to maintain meaningful and consistent relationships with busy and influential people. Here are some strategies that can help you foster and nurture your connections in the context of business services.
One of the best ways to keep your mentors and network engaged is to offer value and support to them. This means finding out what their goals, challenges, and interests are, and providing relevant information, resources, or introductions that can help them. For example, you can share an article, a podcast, or a book recommendation that relates to their field or industry. You can also offer your skills, expertise, or feedback on their projects or initiatives. By doing this, you show that you are genuinely interested in their success and that you are not just asking for favors.
Agreed! An individual should ensure to offer values/supports to a mentor or network, this tend to create self confidence and promote commitment towards achieving a goal. As a mentee, you should strive to offer collaborative supports to your mentor, such as referrals, skills, compentency and networking, this will improve mutual respect, benefits and progress between the parties. Also to keep positive mindset and attitude, provide genuine feedbacks, updates and commitments.
Someone usually chooses to mentor a perspective mentee when they believe that person has 1 of 3 things: purpose, potential, or passion. That choice to mentor increases even further when there's an actual connection between the mentee-mentor - maybe it's professional, or the mentee's output can directly/indirectly benefit the mentor, or maybe the mentor just sees something in the mentee that reminds the mentor of themselves. Whatever it is, know that the mentor-mentee relationship is supposed to bring values to both ends. If the mentor doesn't feel like they're gaining value (which could be as simple as knowing that their advice is heard, recognized as valuable, and being applied), they most likely won't continue the engagement.
Another important strategy is to communicate regularly and appropriately with your mentors and network. This means staying in touch without being intrusive or demanding. You can use different channels and formats to reach out, such as email, phone, social media, or video calls. You can also vary the purpose and tone of your communication, such as sending a thank-you note, a congratulatory message, a holiday greeting, or a casual check-in. The key is to be respectful of their time and preferences, and to avoid spamming or overloading them with requests or updates.
"Regularly" doesn't mean 7 days per week. It could be once a month, twice per quarter. Set a consistent rhythm though because you don't want the relationship to get stale or fizzle out into a memory. Use can use relationship apps like GetDex to manage the timing of when to follow-up on relationships. You can set up a monthly newsletter, or a recurring coffee chat on the calendar. The key is to stay top-of-mind enough while also allowing a healthy dose of time to lapse in-between so that you actually have tangible updates to share!
A third strategy is to seek feedback and advice from your mentors and network. This means asking them for their opinions, insights, or suggestions on your goals, challenges, or projects. For example, you can ask them for tips on how to improve your skills, how to handle a difficult situation, or how to pursue an opportunity. You can also ask them for referrals, recommendations, or endorsements that can boost your credibility or visibility. By doing this, you show that you value their expertise and experience, and that you are open to learning and growing.
When your seeking feedback or advice, it's important to be really clear on what the problem is you're seeking advice for. This clarity has 3 key benefits: 1. Your articulation shows that you've done your homework. Don't pose a vague, open-ended question; instead, walk through the problem with enough depth that shows you've thought it through 2. The preparation ahead of time forces you to actually use the time meaningfully! Instead of mindlessly navigating your time with your mentor, you can just get straight to it and extract the value quickly. 3. The advance prep further shows you take the time seriously with your mentor, which, in turn, will make them feel valued and more willing to give an extra 10% when advising you.
A fourth strategy is to share your achievements and gratitude with your mentors and network. This means letting them know about your progress, success, or recognition in your field or industry. For example, you can share a testimonial, a case study, or an award that showcases your work or impact. You can also share how their guidance, support, or connection has helped you achieve your goals or overcome your challenges. By doing this, you show that you are proud of your work and that you appreciate their contribution.
I love especially sharing with my mentors achievements that I've gained as a direct result to feedback, advice, or words of wisdom that they've imparted in me. It doesn't matter if they gave me the advice last week or 5yrs ago. Constantly showcasing to my mentors how the seeds they planted in me are continuing to bear fruit only further enriches our mentor-mentee relationship. To that end, be GRATEFUL. Unless you're paying your mentor (which, you better NOT be!!), your mentor is giving you their times, wisdom, life jewels, sometimes contacts/network that they've built, etc. to you FOR FREE. The worst thing you could do is take from them and never tell them thank you. And there's not enough times to remind them of your gratitude.
A fifth strategy is to involve them in your projects or initiatives. This means inviting them to collaborate, participate, or contribute to your work or activities. For example, you can invite them to join a webinar, a workshop, or a panel discussion that you are hosting or attending. You can also invite them to co-author, co-create, or co-sponsor a content piece, a product, or a service that you are developing or launching. By doing this, you show that you respect their skills and perspectives, and that you are eager to work with them.
A sixth and final strategy is to give back and pay it forward to your mentors and network. This means reciprocating their generosity and kindness, and extending it to others. For example, you can mentor, coach, or advise someone who is in need of your guidance, support, or connection. You can also volunteer, donate, or advocate for a cause or an organization that they care about or are involved in. By doing this, you show that you are grateful and responsible, and that you are willing to help others.
One thing that I would emphasize about your relationship with your mentor is that if you're going to ask for their advice, APPLY IT. Mentors are typically busy and don't have a lot of time to give. They are investing in you - it hurts the relationship if they feel the time and energy they've deposited in you in the form of advice has gone to waste. It doesn't mean do everything a mentor says to do. In fact, if you have general reservations or disagreements, you should proactively share that with your mentor. Engage in healthy dialogue. Just don't seek advice, say "yes," and then don't do it. Otherwise, that mentor will feel both used AND unvalued, and that relationship will not last long.