Topic Progress:

Strategies for strengthening the mentoring relationship

  • Show your commitment to the person by showing up on time for meetings, talk about how this is a priority for you
  • Reveal personal information including mistakes you’ve made
  • Share your feelings
  • Remember what the person said to you before
  • Refrain from criticising others
  • Do what you promise to do
  • Give honest feedback
  • Be clear about what you do and don’t want communicated to others
  • Refrain from actions that are illegal, unethical or immoral
  • Deepen your conversations
    • Once you’ve built some trust, use the probes designed to facilitate deeper conversations, in the Conversation Starters in the Tool Kit
    • Share some of your own stories, situations and feelings. Always respect your mentoree’s limits on sharing such information.
  • Showing appreciation to your mentoree
    • Be considerate of your mentoree’s time. Try not to cancel or be late for meetings
    • Write an email drawing attention to ways you see your mentoree developing and succeeding
    • Compliment her/him on accomplishments
    • Leave a voicemail and send an email that expresses how much you enjoyed a conversation or meeting.
    • Mention what you’re gaining from this experience
    • Invite her/him to an industry event

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About the Author

HerBusiness (formerly Australian Businesswomen’s Network) is a membership community that provides education, training, resources, mentoring and support for women business owners.