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2. Initiate Relationship

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22 mins

How to Build the Relationship with Your Mentee

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Time you spend building rapport and trust with your mentee will improve the success of the journey.
Here are key components you need to build that relationship -

1. Confidentiality in both directions is key. Do not discuss anything your mentee shares with you unless you have their permission. Remind your mentee of confidentiality at the beginning and end of every session.

2. Building rapport and trust are essential. Here are some ways you can build trust.

Don’t rush. Spend enough time in the beginning getting to know each other, rather than rushing into goal setting and solutions.
Do your research about your mentee so you’re not starting cold. Acknowledge their strengths.
Believe your mentee has the best answers within themselves. Your job is to ask the right questions.
Follow through – do what you say you are going to do.
Be prepared to be vulnerable – don’t just share your hero stories. Also share the times you failed.
Ask for and be open to feedback from your mentee.
Be non-judgmental.
Listen a lot! Talk a little.‍
Ask open-ended questions‍

3. Ask open-ended questions to get to know your mentee.

What ^are your values?
What do you believe are strengths?
What are you passionate about?
What motivates you?
What are you most proud of?
What successes have you had?
What have you taken away from your failures?

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Up Next

How to Be a Good Listener

We all know how it feels when someone pretends to listen, but does not give us their full attention.

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2 mins

Listening is key to most relationships. We all know how it feels when someone pretends to listen, but does not give us their full attention. Mentoring requires strong listening skills.
A good listener hears not only what’s said, but also what’s left unsaid.

Here are some tips to become a better listener -
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1. Be present

First, put your phone on silent and keep it aside. Face your body towards the other person, and if culturally appropriate, make eye contact. Show you are interested. Check your posture–are you relaxed and open? Give your full attention.

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2. Stop talking and just listen

So often we do not give other people the space to talk. We interrupt them, finish their sentences, or talk over them. This shuts the other person down. Be silent. Give non-verbal cues showing you are listening. Allow for pauses so your mentoring partner can think more deeply.

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3. Remove distractions

If you are meeting virtually, set your cameras in a way that you can make eye contact. Remove distractions. Avoid distracting behaviors such as doodling, checking your phone and yawning. Offer your undivided attention.

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4. Be non-judgmental

Try to remove your prejudices and judgments from your interaction. Keep an open mind and fully listen. Show empathy. Try to step into your partner’s shoes and understand their perspective.

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5. Pay attention to non-verbal communication

Watch your partner and notice their gestures, expressions and body language. Are you sensing how they are feeling? What are they saying through their body language?

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