How to Be a Good Mentee

You know that having a mentor can really help your career’s success and advancement. But have you ever thought about how much it matters to be a good mentee?

Nancy Mellard is the National Leader of CBIZ Women’s Advantage, a program that directs female professionals’ development through focused leadership, mentoring and networking programs.

“A good mentor will challenge you,” says Mellard.

Do your best to make it as easy, convenient and rewarding for the mentor as it is for you.

Mellard advises, “Take initiative scheduling, bringing issues to the table and bringing up challenges created by the last thing you discussed.”

Be open to seeing and hearing things about yourself that you don’t currently see.

Invest in building a strong relationship.

“Demonstrate assertiveness is your desire to cultivate a real bond with your mentor,” recommends Mellard.

“A mentor who’s committed to your professional development and success won’t feel like you’re a bother. And if they do, then that’s not the relationship you want,” Mellard points out.

Signs of a mentee behaving badly?

“They feel like they’re the victim,” reveals Mellard. “They find someone else to blame for why they’re not going where they want or doing what they want.”

“Mentors don’t have these meetings and create these relationships for themselves,” says Mellard.

“Mellard reminds mentees that the relationship is for their benefit. “So you’d better be 100 percent invested.”

Bonus PINK Link: Looking for funding for your business idea? Find out how to get money from your mentor.

Do you have a great relationship with your mentor?

By Sarah Grace Alexander

“When the student is ready, the master appears.” Buddhist Proverb