The Role of Mentorship: It's Not Just Coffee Chats and Career Advice

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." – Winston Churchill 

Food for Thought:

Let's talk about mentorship—and no, I don't mean those dreaded "can I pick your brain?" coffee meetings that somehow turn into three-hour life stories. I'm talking about real mentorship, the kind that transforms careers and sometimes lives.

Here's the thing: We've all been there, staring at our computer screens, wondering if we're making the right career moves or if we're just really good at looking like we know what we're doing (hello, imposter syndrome!). That's where mentorship comes in—not as a magic solution, but as a "been there, done that, let me save you from that particular disaster" guide.

Whether you're the mentor (sharing wisdom and secretly hoping your mentee doesn't repeat your embarrassing first-job stories) or the mentee (trying to absorb knowledge while pretending you totally understood that industry acronym), mentorship is a two-way street paved with growth opportunities and, occasionally, awkward silences.

Why Traditional Mentorship Often Falls Flat

Let's be honest about why some mentorship relationships fizzle:

• The "let's meet sometime" that never actually gets scheduled
• The vague "I'd love to pick your brain about everything" approach (Please don't)
• The mentor who treats every conversation like a TED talk
• The mentee who expects their mentor to be a career fairy godparent

5 Tips for Making Mentorship Actually Work

1. Clarify Your Goals (Both of You) Mentors: "Share all your wisdom" is not a goal. Mentees: "Become CEO by next Tuesday" is also not a goal. Instead: Set specific, achievable objectives that don't require time travel or superhuman abilities.
2. Be Open to Feedback (The Real Kind) Remember: Good mentors aren't here to be your cheerleader (though sometimes they are), and good mentees aren't here to be yes-people. If you wanted pure validation, you'd just call your mom.
3. Set Regular Check-Ins (And Actually Show Up) Whether it's monthly Zoom calls or quarterly coffee chats, consistency matters. Put it in your calendar. No, really. Right now. We'll wait.
4. Come Prepared with Questions (Not Your Life Story) Good: "How did you handle your first management role?" Better: "I'm leading my first team meeting next week. What should I prioritize?" Not Great: "So, let me tell you about my childhood..."
5. Take Action on Advice (Or at Least Pretend To) Nothing motivates a mentor more than seeing their advice in action. Nothing frustrates them more than having the same conversation six times.

A Note for Both Sides

To Mentors: Your "disaster stories" are actually valuable lessons. Share them. (Even the time you responded "you too" when the server said "enjoy your meal.")

To Mentees: Before you send that "can I pick your brain?" email (we've all done it), remember: Your mentor was once just as confused as you are. They survived. You will too. Just maybe lead with something more specific than wanting to extract their entire career knowledge over a 30-minute coffee.

Conclusion: Beyond the Business Card Exchange

Mentorship isn't just about career advancement—it's about creating connections that make both people better. It's about having someone in your corner who's been there, done that, and is willing to share the unofficial playbook.

What's your mentorship story? Whether it's a triumph or a hilarious disaster, share it in the comments. We could all use a good laugh (and maybe a lesson)!

All the best,

Dr. Judy Wright 

Physician, Wellness & Performance Strategist

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