How to build connection with your mentor
Meeting your mentor for the first time can feel a little daunting, so this resource focuses on informal, practical ways to build a connection and find common ground. These tips will help you get your mentoring partnership off to a great start.
1. Establish rapport early on
A strong mentoring relationship begins with building trust and mutual respect. Start by discussing your expectations and setting some clear foundations:
-
Define your partnership commitments
What do you both want to gain from this partnership? Are there any boundaries or preferences you'd like to agree on from the start?
-
Schedule your communication
Thrive is designed to be flexible, but regular contact is key. Agree on how and when you’ll stay in touch – whether that’s monthly video calls, in-person meetings, emails, or informal chats.
2. Understand each other’s motivation
A good mentoring relationship is two-way. Taking time to understand why each of you joined Thrive can help shape more meaningful conversations.
-
Reflect on your own goals
What motivated you to join Thrive? How do your goals connect with the goals you set on the Thrive pathway?
-
Ask your mentor
What inspired them to volunteer their time and experience as a mentor? Understanding their “why” will help you better understand their approach.
3. Explore their career and industry
Your mentor has valuable insights to share. Use the first meeting to learn more about their background:
- What does their typical workday look like?
- How did they reach their current role?
- How would they describe their industry or sector to someone new?
This context can help you better understand the opportunities and challenges in their field – and start to see where your interests might align.
4. Get to know them as a person
Beyond careers and goals, getting to know your mentor as a person can strengthen your connection. Mentorloop has provided a great list of informal questions you could ask, such as:
- What would the title of your autobiography be?
- What’s your dream job and why?
- If you could learn any new skill, what would it be?
These kinds of light-hearted questions can help break the ice and make your conversations more relaxed and engaging.
5. Keep exploring
We hope these ideas help you get started and build a strong mentoring relationship.
Remember, you now have access to the Mentee Handbook, covering themes and support to assist you in your Thrive Mentoring journey.