How To Part Ways With Your Mentor The Right Way

Mentorship is a valuable relationship that can help you grow both personally and professionally. However, sometimes the relationship may not be working out as well as you hoped, and it might be time to part ways with your mentor. But how do you break up with your mentor in a professional and respectful way? It's important to handle the situation with care to maintain the positive aspects of the relationship and avoid burning bridges.

In this newsletter, we'll discuss some tips and best practices on how to "break up" with your mentor the correct way.

Let's start things off by defining what "breaking up" with a mentor means and why it's important to do it the right way.

"Breaking up" with a mentor can be an uncomfortable experience, but it's a necessary one. It means ending the formal relationship you have with your mentor. Reasons can go from professional ones: maybe you have achieved your goals, and you feel that your mentor's guidance is no longer needed; all the way to more personal reasons: maybe you simply didn't "click" with the person, and that's okay too.

However, how you end the relationship can have long-term consequences, positive or negative. While all the reasons you might have are valid - at the end of the day, your mentor needs to be someone whom you feel comfortable with, and vice-versa - what is non-negotiable is the way you approach the situation.

That's why it's crucial to do it the right way, with respect and appreciation for the time and effort they've invested in you.

Ending a mentorship doesn't have to be a bad thing

It's important to note that ending a mentoring relationship is not necessarily a negative thing. When we hear "the end" of something, to most people, it has a negative connotation. But just as with any relationship - because, yeah, mentorship is a type of relationship -, when things aren't working out anymore, or the goal has been achieved, sometimes, it's the best decision for both parties to move on and find a new mentor-mentee relationship that is a better fit for you.

If you already know for sure that the best thing for your career path is to part ways with your mentor, first of all, kudos to you for wanting to learn how to do it in a professional way??

Here are some tips for communicating with your mentor about ending the relationship:

Be honest

Honesty is the best policy when it comes to communicating with your mentor. Explain your reasons for wanting to end the relationship, and be clear about your intentions. Whether it's a conflict of interest, a change in career goals, or simply feeling that the mentorship is no longer beneficial, communicate your feelings openly and respectfully.

Show gratitude

Even if the relationship didn't work out, it's important to show gratitude to your mentor for the time and effort they put into helping you. Thank them for their guidance and support, and let them know how their mentorship has helped you in your professional growth.

Give notice

If possible, try to give your mentor notice before ending the relationship. This will give them time to adjust their own schedules and make any necessary changes to their own plans. It's also a professional courtesy that will leave a good impression.

Keep it professional

Remember that your mentor is a professional contact, and treat them as such. Be respectful in your communication, and avoid any personal attacks or criticisms.

Offer a future connection

Even if you no longer need mentorship from your current mentor, they may be able to connect you with other professionals or opportunities in the future. Offer to keep in touch and remain connected, if possible.

By following these tips, you can effectively communicate with your mentor about ending the relationship in a respectful and professional manner.

It's not an easy process for everybody

While some people might see the title of the article and think to themselves: "Why would somebody struggle with this?" there might be other people who might have a hard time having difficult conversations. And just as in any relationship, difficult conversations might be awkward to some people.

Everybody is different, we all have our strengths and our weaknesses, and being brave enough to accept we sometimes need small - or even big - pushes, is what makes us better human beings who want to improve aspects of our lives.

Don't feel discouraged

If this mentorship didn't work for you, it's okay! Now you know what to look for when you start looking out for a new mentor.

The mentorship journey is a constant learning path; you will meet tons of very talented and experienced people while building out the career path that you want. So even if right now you feel like you'll have a hard time finding another one, don't give up, you'll get there, we promise.

If you're ready to start looking for a mentor that fits the best with your needs and goals, start browsing !

Happy learning!