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What are your top tips on building impactful relationships with mentors?

Finding mentors is a difficult task in and of its own, however maintaining and nurturing those relationships is in my opinion 10x more difficult.

How can I successfully build those relationships as a high school, but also assure that they are impactful?

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Thank you comment icon That's a challenging question. Try reaching out to someone nearby for help. Best of luck! Sean Alexander
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Jazmin’s Answer

Breaking the ice can be hard at first but try to maintain a relaxing vibe around them make sure you're just as comfortable with them as they are with you.
But don't be too relaxed make sure you make it clear that you're not going to waste their time, they'll only give as much as they receive and vice versa. if one end is slacking or not putting it in the effort the other follows suit.
Both the students and the mentors have to be willing to be on the same page and find common ground.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for your response! This truly is amazing advice, and a fresher perspective on mentorship than what I've heard in my daily life. Farida
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Bill’s Answer

Well done for starting the process while you’re in high school. You’re already miles ahead of the majority. I’ve been on both sides of the mentor/mentee environment. The best advice I can give is to simply stay engaged with your mentor(s). Work with them to set boundaries out of the gate to determine the best way to interact and then come prepared to any meeting, call, etc. to maximize your time together. And take notes…there are notes from discussions that I had years ago that I still go back & read.

Determining impact is harder to answer (sorry). For me, there were instances where I didn’t realize the full impact of a mentor until years later. Know going in that there may be some things you talk about that may seem irrelevant but will have an impact in the future (thus the advice to take good notes).
Thank you comment icon Thank you greatly for your response, I appreciate it! Your tips are very useful, and your formatting is simple, easy to understand, but most important easy to follow along to. Farida
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Steward "Tony"’s Answer

Join Leadership and/or Speaking Groups to develop those skills. Within these groups many actually love to mentor younger persons who look to grow and become leaders within their own respective fields. Yes you can get mentors for hire, but it's the ones who see your potensial who value the time to guide you. You will soon become the mentor. yourself.
Thank you comment icon Thank you, this is truly really helpful advice! I greatly appreciate your time and effort, and found motivation within your response. Farida
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Gail’s Answer

It's great that you're thinking about having a mentor in high school. A mentor relationship can be valuable for both the mentor and the mentee. Sometimes, we meet weekly or every other week if the mentee has a specific goal to work on. Other times, we might only meet once a month or every three months if there's no urgent goal, but we still want to stay in touch and share experiences. Always having a clear goal or purpose for the mentoring relationship can make it more meaningful.
Thank you comment icon Thank you, this was super helpful! I greatly appreciate your time, effort, and support. Farida
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Tyler’s Answer

One of the best things to keep in mind when it comes to mentors are simply people who are willing to help out. They may help out a lot (which is what most people think of when they think of a mentor) or they may only need to show for a small part of your life.

One of my friends had a youth leader at church who he was close to. He didn't speak to him for many years but knew he sold commercial real estate.

My friend reached out to him after college and they ended up being partners. They hadn't talked in years and it didn't matter.

People are more willing to help than we give them credit for.

The best tips I can think of is being interested in what others do, show willingness to learn, and a willingness to do what they ask/tell us to do.

Best of luck!
Thank you comment icon Thank you very much for your response, I truly appreciate it! The story you shared interested me deeply, as I never knew mentorship could take said form. Farida
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Karen’s Answer

Your question is very insightful, and says a lot about your ambition and chances for great success!

I've been a mentor to a number of people, including five-year-old twins and a woman in prison. The little girls had no idea why I kept coming to see them each week until we talked about how I saw them as friends and liked doing things with them. Their Mother wanted them to be able to experience life outside of their small apartment. I'm happy to say these girls are now 21, and I'm still in contact with them. They moved across the country, served in the armed forces, went to college, and are wonderful, faith-filled young adults. The main thing you have to do is to be yourself, be willing to share what you're feeling, and always show up. Let them know you appreciate their time and support.

My mentee, who had been in prison for two years without ever having a visitor, was happy to have a connection to the outside world. She made me want to come back and visit her each month because she made me feel like I was important to her.

I have no doubt you will enjoy your relationship without having to work hard at it, and the results will be amazing.

With every good wish and many blessings!

Karen
Thank you comment icon Thank you very much for responding to my question! I have truly never enjoyed reading a reply to one of my questions as much as I enjoyed reading yours, and I found myself truly interested in everything you had to say. Your advice put a lot in perspective for me, and I appreciate the time you took to form such a beautiful, thoughtful response! Farida
Thank you comment icon Farida, I greatly appreciate your response! Karen Kitchel
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Vicky’s Answer

Hi there,
What is a great question. Like any other relationship, your mentor-mentee relationship requires time, commitment and a plan.
Make time to connect with your mentor, even for 15 minutes per week, face-to-face is ideal but any form of communication will suffice.
Always Make a plan (Even if you already have one)
Step 1: Set Clear Goals Together
Step 2: Create a Learning Agenda
Step 3: Implement and Report Back
Step 4: Seek Feedback and Course-Correct
Step 5: Express Gratitude and Plan for Continuity
As your mentor-mentee relationship progresses, you will get to know your mentor better, help them with small tasks or share articles about topics that may interest them. Don’t forget meaningful moments like birthdates, holidays etc.. A simple card will do. If they’ve done you a favor like writing a recommendation letter, a thank you note goes a long way ( a written one shows care and intention).
The most important thing I can share is to show your mentor that you are coachable. A mentor will invest time in coaching when you demonstrate that you can implement their advice and grow from it.
Always come prepared with a new topic or follow up questions.
Finally: Focus on being someone worth investing in, be curious, hardworking, receptive to feedback, and appreciative of guidance.

Vicky recommends the following next steps:

Be Curious
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