Bridging Differences for Better Mentoring

SIX

Getting to Know Each Other

Simply getting to know one another should be the focus of all or most of your first few interactions of the mentoring relationship. Sometimes these interactions happen live, in the initial mentoring meetings. Some mentors and mentees like to interact by email in advance of the first meeting. Like every other step along the way, getting to know each other requires reflection, planning, and (where possible) outreach to your mentoring partner.

Take Time to Build Trust by Getting to Know Each Other

Getting to know each other is not something you can check off your list in one conversation. Rather, it develops over a series of conversations early in your mentoring relationship. Let’s return to Mia and Christopher from ...