There are some common tendencies of great mentors, abilities they have that result in successful relationships. There are a wide-ranging examples of mentor roles, defined by intention, relationship and circumstance, rather than specific descriptions of skill, knowledge and character. Where the quality of the relationship a mentor develops is more important than their own perfection, we shift emphasis from ‘impressing others’ to connecting with them. For mentors, their imperfection makes them easier to relate to.