The Mentee Playbook
A Foolproof Discussion Guide for Meetings with your Mentor
Author: GG Gimja
When I look back on the pivotal moments of my professional life, mentorship has been a constant and positive force that guided me along the way.
I think about a mentor who advised me, during my first 9 to 5, not to run away from a job I hated, but rather, to run towards a job I would love. I think about a mentor in graduate school, who introduced me to someone who ended up hiring me for a job as I transitioned into my 30s and wanted to switch things up again. I also think about my first podcasting mentor, Fred Dews, who I met through the TPA mentorship program. As a solo podcaster, I had grown accustomed to working alone, and sometimes I even relished that solitude. But Fred’s mentorship was a breath of fresh air, especially at a time when my podcast was on the cusp of reaching the next level.
If this is your first time working with a mentor, or you want to improve the quality of your mentorship conversations, here’s a simple discussion guide that I like to use when meeting with a mentor.
1.What’s going well?
Starting the conversation with things that are going well kicks off the meeting with good energy. It allows you to pause and celebrate wins, something that we don’t always do in this challenging industry. It also updates your mentor on actions you’ve taken that have worked well. This is your opportunity to talk about a new contact that you made, new software that you finally figured out, or any goals you have achieved.
2. What’s not going well?
The next topic I like to discuss is what is not going well. This might be a challenge I’m facing, a frustration, or a recent setback. Articulating the issues helps you to put a name on something that isn’t working well. Sometimes having to explain your challenges to another person can make them more clear for yourself. Sharing these concerns gives your mentor something concrete to provide advice or encouragement on.
3. Can I get your opinion?
Sometimes, podcasting can be lonely. A mentor might be the perfect sounding board for your ideas. Are you thinking of rebranding? Wanting to try a new format? Curious about strategies you haven’t tried yet? This is the part of the conversation where I get feedback on things I’ve been pondering on my own. This is also a good time to ask your mentor how they have handled an issue in the past.
4. Here’s what I’m committing to doing before next time…
To wrap up the conversation, I like to share my short term goals with my mentor. Specifically, I like to list out the things I plan to do before our next meeting. A mentor can make a great accountability buddy. Telling someone you will do something can make you more likely to follow through, plus, your mentor is a great person to troubleshoot with during your next meeting if you fall short. Sharing your short term goals also lets your mentor know what you’re working on so they can support you, either by checking in with you, or by providing advice and encouragement.
Structuring your meetings using the above skeleton will help ensure you make the most out of each meeting with your mentor.
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Genet “GG” Gimja hosts the Progressive Pockets podcast, offering gentle, realistic suggestions on how to shop, bank, invest, and donate to better reflect our societal beliefs regarding climate change, inequality, poverty, or whatever else keeps you up at night. GG incorporates lessons from her twenty years as a consultant and educator in the private and public sectors. She has lived and worked in Africa, Europe and South America, although she calls Washington D.C. home. You can find GG on X, and on her website at www.progressivepockets.com.