An effective mentor is able to experience an appropriate amount of pressure and still react constructively in situations. An example of ‘appropriate pressure’ might be that you regard your role as important and one that you want to do well at. This positive type of pressure motivates you to function well in interactions with your mentee. While some levels of pressure are healthy and enlivening, heightened or extreme pressure is much less so. Putting yourself under extreme pressure is unhelpful.

As a mentor, too much pressure can reduce our effectiveness, as we are less able to stay natural and employ our usual strengths and abilities. Heightened or unhealthy pressure is often caused by a perceived gap in what we expect or want and how we imagine things actually are. As a mentor, you want to stay resourceful and confident and be able to trust that whatever arises during your mentoring conversations is something you are equipped to handle.

Developing a positive perspective is important as it will help you to maintain a constructive outlook to cope with the challenges and unexpected developments that arise during mentoring. Use the supporting principles to help you develop a positive view of your involvement and put aside notions of perfection.