Find a Mentor Through Your Networks (Part 4): 13 Ways to Gain the Most From Your Experience

Part 1 of our Find a Mentor Through Your Networks series covered the benefits of having a mentor; Part 2 helped you assess your networks and choose who is right for you. In Part 3, you learned how to effectively invite someone to be yours. Next, you will discover how to be an ideal mentee and gain the most from your experience.

The conversation went well and you extended the request to your chosen mentor inviting them to be yours. And they said yes!

Now what?

As a mentee, you should lay the groundwork for a successful and beneficial mentorship from the start. Show your mentor you’re serious and dedicated to the journey you have embarked upon and take the lead on items. They will appreciate your initiative (not to mention, this makes it easier on them!)

Here are 13 ways to gain the most from your mentorship experience:

1.      Set realistic goals: Be practical and sensible about what you’re looking to achieve. You don’t want to set both you and your mentor up to fail. Discuss and determine specific goals together that you each agree on and know can be accomplished.

2.      Put together an overall plan: Develop strategies that will help you reach the objectives you’ve set. Establish deadlines and adhere to them. Make sure you both clearly understand each of your responsibilities and how you will work with each other. There must be collaboration from the start for this to work.

3.      Manage expectations: Once a plan is in place and your mentoring journey has begun, you must manage what is expected of each of you. This will ensure you’re always on a productive track. Demonstrate how committed you are! Put what you learn from your mentor into action and take their suggestions and advice seriously.

4.      Mind your time together: Show respect and be mindful of all your mentor is giving you, especially their time. This is a volunteer gig! They’re going out of their way to help you—and doing it all for free—which is priceless.

5.      Adhere to their schedule: Be flexible and accommodating as a mentee, and your mentor will treat you the same. Decide together if you should talk face-to-face or over the phone, or if an email will do. Or maybe plan on a Zoom session. Each situation will be different, just be sure to coordinate on what is ideal. And if you can’t make a meeting, inform them as soon as possible.

6.      Structure your meetings: Set them up weekly, monthly, or quarterly. Put together an agenda and follow it! This will help make your interactions meaningful. Avoid going off-topic and keep discussions focused. Utilize the concept of the power half-hour to increase your productivity and accomplish goals during your meetings.

7.      Establish next steps: Always leave a conversation with your mentor knowing what you’re both supposed to do next. This keeps you on the right track to achieving your objectives.

8.      Follow through: You have to follow through on following up. Not everyone does this! If you promised your mentor you will do something, then do it. If you set a deadline, meet it. If you’re not putting in the effort the mentorship will not succeed.

9.      Be trustworthy: Prove to your mentor that you’re a great mentee who can attend meetings on time and perform the tasks that are asked of you. Show they can depend on you to get things done, and that it’s worth their time to be your mentor. Building trust is the foundation for any relationship, especially in this one.

10.   Be open-minded: You wanted a mentor to guide and lead you, let them! Listen when they’re offering advice and assistance. Ask questions and demonstrate your curiosity. If you’re the type of person who is very set in your ways and won’t deviate from the path, this will present a challenge throughout your mentorship.

11.   Show your appreciation: Remember to say thank you! Let your mentor know how grateful you are for everything they do. You should offer value to them as well where appropriate. This relationship is a two-way street!

12.   Give feedback: And be honest about it. You don’t always have to say yes to everything; if you disagree with something, say so. Talk about what is working and what isn’t and adjust where needed. Maybe you need to meet more (or less) or you’re not happy with how things are going. And be prepared to receive the same constructive feedback from your mentor as well.

13.   Understand (and do something) if it’s not working out: It’s OK! We don’t always make the right decisions. If it’s just not developing into a successful mentorship then you must realize that it’s not working—and then do something about it. It’s not in your best interest to continue an unhealthy relationship.

Remember—your mentor is actually doing you a favor—they’ve already reached success! And it’s up to you to drive the ship along your mentoring journey to get the most from the experience.

Keep in mind that setting goals and managing expectations are key for this relationship to work. You also need to be in the right mindset and ready to take action. When you collaborate efficiently from the beginning, you’re on your way to a successful mentorship. Be an ideal mentee, and you will attract ideal mentors!

This is Part 4 of 5 articles in the NetWorkWise Find a Mentor Through Your Networks series

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See article originally posted on NetWorkWise: https://www.networkwise.com/find-a-mentor-through-your-network-part-4-13-ways-to-get-the-most-from-your-mentorship-experience/