After your first sessions as a mentor, you need to sustain progress while handling twists and turns along the way. Your practical considerations are now to fulfil the functional elements of the mentor role while building the relationship. There is no ‘right way’ – there is only what works for both of you. For example, some people will prefer meeting face to face, while others prefer to have telephone or video calls. It is helpful to sustain the relationship as a mentoring one, something that is distinct from any other type of relationship the mentee may have, with their manager, colleagues, friends, etc.

Ultimately, what your mentee chooses to do, learn or ignore from the mentoring conversations is not the mentor’s business. Some results of mentoring can be identified or measured, while some results cannot. Being a mentor to someone is more than the practical elements of the role, such as being on time for meetings, offering great ideas and remembering to send a web link or reference point after the session. Remember, what makes mentoring distinct from coaching or consultancy is the nature and intention of the relationship.