How to build rapport with your mentee
The best way to maintain a good relationship in a mentorship program is to build rapport.
Category
Advice
Author
Jade Green
The best way to maintain a good relationship in a mentorship program is to build rapport.
As a mentor, it is essential to follow certain guidelines in order to build rapport with your mentee.
Here’s a look at some of these guidelines:
Setting goals and objectives
Just like any other relationship, it is important to outline a set of goals and objectives for both individuals involved. This will help in accountability and making sure the best possible outcome is achieved out of the mentorship.
Commitment
Being on time for meetings, scheduling ahead of time, getting previously discussed work done before the meeting or going above and beyond are just some ways mentors can showcase commitment to their mentees. Dealing with difficult situations and not disregarding them is another way of showing commitment to mentees. This displays care and concern which is essential to building rapport.
Respect
Earning the respect of mentees is vital to a secure and healthy mentorship. Actively listening to their concerns, suggestions, difficulties and their eventual goals and aspirations are some ways of earning their respect. Sometimes it is not about providing solutions but actively hearing them out and listening to what they have to say. This could potentially lead to a strong form of emotional support that can eventually lead to exemplary professional development.
Be personable
No one wants to talk to someone they don’t like. Therefore, being more personable, sharing intricate details of your experience, tips and tricks that have helped you along the way and making sure mentees are comfortable and relaxed in your presence is critical. Humour is another great tool that can be used to lighten the mood and become more personable.
Having fun
It doesn’t always have to be a coffee catch-up in front of laptop screens. Sometimes it’s about having fun and enjoying fun activities together. Trying out new activities for a mentee is an excellent way of breaking the ice, becoming more personable and truly enjoying each other’s company which is imperative to build a strong rapport with mentees.
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