What do you do if you're getting no response from your mentor?

Assessing your expectations means thinking about what you want from your mentor and what you can realistically expect. It's like making a list of what you hope to learn or achieve and thinking about how your mentor can help you with those things. Simple language can help, like asking yourself, "What do I want from my mentor?" and "What can they realistically do for me?" This helps you understand what you need and how your mentor can support you. By figuring out your expectations, you can communicate better with your mentor and make the most of your relationship.

If your mentor went incommunicado after certain period of time, there must be a reason. It doesn't ordinarily happen as mentors assess their new mentoring relationship before committing themselves, and if there is a problem on their end, they will let their mentees know. So the problem must probably is you. Analyze your behavior: were you always prepared, committed, on time? Did you respect the boundaries? Did you heed to mentor's advice or disregarded it most of the time? Mentor's greatest reward is emotional one, if you strip your mentor from it somehow, the relationship is doomed. Keep your mentor happy 😉

If your mentor isn't responding, reassess your expectations: Is their availability clear? Have you followed their preferred communication method? Consider their workload. If still no response, send a polite follow-up, seeking clarity on their availability. If persistently unresponsive, explore alternative mentors or seek guidance from other sources.

Muitas vezes, mal-entendidos ou frustrações surgem não por falta de interesse ou negligência, mas por expectativas desalinhadas. Ao estabelecer e revisar regularmente as expectativas de comunicação, suporte e progresso, mentor e mentorado podem manter uma relação mais harmoniosa e produtiva. Isso reforça a ideia de que uma comunicação efetiva é a chave para o sucesso da mentoria, permitindo que ambos os lados ajustem suas abordagens conforme necessário, e garantindo que o mentorado se sinta apoiado em sua jornada, ao mesmo tempo em que respeita os limites e a disponibilidade do mentor.

Clear and simple, if this situation is not an exception, or an unintended change, and your mentor is not taking responsibility in the process, you have to Look For Another Mentor

Reaching out politely means being respectful and friendly when you contact your mentor. Keep it simple and polite, like starting with a friendly greeting and clearly stating why you're reaching out. For example, you could say, "Hello [Mentor's Name], I hope you're doing well. I wanted to reach out to ask for your advice on [specific topic or issue]. I appreciate your time and expertise. Thank you!" This shows that you value their time and expertise while making it easy for them to understand why you're contacting them.

Do send a kind and gentle follow-up message through text message or an email reminding your mentor of your very recent communication and express your continued interest in connecting. The content of the message has to be specific and concise keep your tone respectful, empathetic, and understanding, acknowledging that they may be quite busy.

If your mentor isn't responding, send a polite follow-up message expressing gratitude for their time and requesting an update on your previous message. Acknowledge their busy schedule and offer flexibility. Maintain professionalism and openness to reschedule.

A comunicação pode sofrer interrupções por uma série de razões que estão fora do controle do mentor. Abordar o mentor com respeito, compreensão e gratidão, não apenas mantém a relação profissional positiva, mas também reforça o valor que o mentorado atribui à experiência e ao tempo do mentor. Essa abordagem construtiva e reflexiva pode reacender o engajamento do mentor e abrir caminhos para uma comunicação mais efetiva e um relacionamento de mentoria mais forte.

Em qualquer relação a comunicação é importante. Pode ser que seu mentor considere que você está fazendo um bom trabalho, mas só é possivel saber através de feedbacks. É importante agendar uma conversa com antecedência e informar que gostaria de alinhar as expectativas e feedbacks de tempos em tempos. Combinando, todos sabem que caminho seguir e você só terá motivo para se preocupar caso seja apontado que precisa melhorar em algum ponto.

Reconhecer que um único mentor pode não ser capaz de atender a todas as necessidades ou que a dinâmica pode não estar funcionando é crucial para o desenvolvimento pessoal e profissional. A busca por comunidades e redes de apoio alternativas amplia horizontes e oferece novas oportunidades para o aprendizado e o crescimento. A diversificação de fontes de mentoria e apoio não só aumenta as chances de sucesso, mas também enriquece a jornada de desenvolvimento com diferentes perspectivas e experiências.

If your mentor is unresponsive, seek alternative sources of support such as peers, online communities, or professional networks. Look for mentors with similar expertise or seek guidance from supervisors, colleagues, or industry experts. Diversifying your support network can provide valuable insights and assistance.

Mentoring is all about trust, and if you cannot properly connect with your mentor, there's not enough room for trusted relationship left. Even if your mentor is the greatest professional in the field, this lack of connection will prevent you from benefiting to the full extent. Consider reframing your relationship to a less demanding one, I.e. informal advisory, and look for another mentor. As now you know what's most important in mentoring relationship first-hand, you stand a better chance of succeeding. Life is eternal learning, remember ) And this unsuccessful relationship was a valuable lesson.

Before you call it quits, try these steps: - Request a feedback session to share your concerns and expectations - Ask for their honest assessment of your performance and progress - Discuss whether the relationship is still mutually beneficial If you've tried everything and still feel unsupported, it may be time to: - Reevaluate your goals and needs - End the relationship gracefully and thank them for their guidance - Consider finding a new mentor who better aligns with your career path Mentorship is a two-way street. If your mentor isn't meeting you halfway, don't be afraid to seek out new opportunities for growth and support.

Review the dynamics of your mentorship relationship. Assess communication frequency, clarity of expectations, and mutual commitment. Reflect on whether goals align and if the mentor's availability matches your needs. Discuss concerns openly and constructively with your mentor to address any issues and realign expectations if necessary.

A decisão de revisar e potencialmente alterar ou terminar a relação mentor-mentorado é um passo significativo que requer honestidade e vulnerabilidade. Discutir abertamente as preocupações e expectativas não apenas pode esclarecer mal-entendidos, mas também reforça a importância de alinhamento e satisfação mútuos na mentoria. Essa reflexão crítica sobre a relação permite a ambos os participantes considerar o valor agregado e os objetivos alcançados, além de reconhecer a possibilidade de crescimento através de novas parcerias.

Even if your mentorship didn't meet your expectations, it's crucial to end on a high note: - Express gratitude for their time, effort, and guidance - Highlight the valuable lessons and skills you gained from their mentorship Your mentor invested in your growth, and that deserves recognition. Plus, you never know when your paths may cross again. By maintaining a positive relationship, you'll: - Preserve your professional reputation - Keep the door open for future opportunities - Demonstrate your maturity and emotional intelligence Show your mentor you're someone who values growth, gratitude, and strong connections.

Despite challenges, appreciate the growth and knowledge gained from the mentorship experience. Express gratitude for the support received thus far. Emphasise the value of the relationship and express optimism for its continued success. Encourage open communication and collaboration moving forward, fostering a positive and productive mentorship journey.

Encerrar uma relação de mentoria com reconhecimento e apreço não apenas preserva uma ponte valiosa para o futuro, mas também reflete bem sobre seu caráter profissional. Esta abordagem assegura que as portas permaneçam abertas para futuras interações, seja por conselhos, referências ou até mesmo novas oportunidades colaborativas. Além disso, reforça a importância de nutrir e valorizar as conexões profissionais, criando um ciclo virtuoso de apoio e respeito mútuos.

Use the experience of seeking mentorship to learn and grow. Reflect on the importance of clear communication, setting expectations, and managing relationships. Recognise areas for personal development and refine strategies for seeking guidance and support. Every encounter, whether successful or challenging, offers valuable lessons to carry forward in future endeavours.

Note that every individual has their schedule and priorities. Your mentor may be dealing with personal or professional challenges that are affecting their ability to respond promptly. Exercise patience and understanding while waiting for a reply. A personal example I can share is way back in the university the faculty assigned students to mentors as part of the mentorship program. I had the school registrar as my mentor he was inaccessible during the early stages. I followed up politely once in a while until he finally reached out very apologetically and informed me he had some major appointments and was so booked. We agreed on a schedule and it worked. He’s one of the mentors that has impacted my personal life and career tremendously.