Ask:
What could we do to take our time together to the next level?
Why:
This simple check-in question provides an intentional opportunity for the mentee and mentor to reflect and evaluate the mentoring relationship and meetings. It gives both participants the chance to provide and receive some feedback with the goal of growing and improving the mentoring relationship.
The question demonstrates a mentor’s humble learning posture to the mentee as well as a deep care to make the most of the relationship. The conversation can reap some important affirmation and/or course corrections.
Make this question a natural and regular part of your relationship by asking it every 3-4 months.
Listen:
This question could catch your mentee by surprise, so consider sharing the question at the end of a mentoring meeting for discussion at the next mentoring meeting (i.e. “I really value our time together and want to take some time at our next
meeting to check-in on how we are doing and what we could do to go to the next level”).
Be ready to follow-up with some more specific questions like:
- What’s going well?
- What do you enjoy about our time together?
- If there was one thing I could do to be a better mentor, what would it be?
Promise:
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” — Proverbs 27:17
