Help someone grow

Lack of progress is my failure

Frequency

Availability

Aid in learning

There is one whether you like it or not!

Simply talk about more than the object of the mentorship

It doesn't have to be "personal"

Share your professional experience and tell stories

Ask about how he feels in his context

Remember our purpose

Mentee 1

A new employee. She likes learning new things in general and is really enthusiastic. Always comes up with creative solutions during your dialogs and is quick to move forward. Doesn't really challenge you on what you show her and follows your guidance to the letter.

Mentee 2

An old colleague just started out on a new responsibility. He's a veteran in the field. You know it was his choice to pick this up, but he doesn't seem too keen on it. Although he is new to this he challenges most of what you say and usually takes matters into his own hands.

Mentee 3

A very skilled colleague who has a reputation for learning new things really fast, given his vast experience. You start out thinking it's going to be an easy job, but when you start your collaboration, it's like hitting a brick wall. He's very condescending, challenges you constantly and it's very hard to convince him of anything.

Mentee 4

This one is thrilled with you and with learning this new trait. He's always really enthusiastic during your conversations and always gives you the impression that he understood what needs to be done and that he agrees with your ideas and guidance. However, repeatedly, you see that despite his apparent good attitude, he always goes astray, doesn't finish on time according the the agreed schedule and always has an excuse ready.