Don’t write off the relationship too quickly, even if it seems like it may have run its course, if conversations with your mentor have become repetitive. Often, the relationship isn’t the problem; rather, you just need some new topics to talk about. Prepare a thoughtful, varied list of questions in advance to reinvigorate mentoring discussions.
Have your mentor share a story from their own career to help break the ice. Everyone enjoys telling stories about themselves, so you could ask: “How did you get to where you are now?” or “How did you get your current role?” You could also ask more focused questions that focus on your career goals and concerns. Some questions to consider:
The ability to perceive yourself from others’ perspectives is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. In this manner, if you like how people perceive you, you can accept it and take actions to reinforce that favorable perception. If you don’t like how you are currently perceived, you can take steps to shift that perception to a more positive one that supports, rather than undermines, your career and leadership goals
You won’t ever sit through another mentoring conversation wondering if the other person is finding the conversation useful again if you use these four types of questions and the examples that go along with them. So here’s a different challenge: Reinvigorate an existing mentorship by thoughtfully preparing for each session with your mentor rather than adding another mentor to your network. And then give this list to your mentees, encouraging them to use it to make the most of your time together.
What are mentoring topics?
Important topics that can be discussed between a mentor and mentee during a meeting are called mentoring topics. Discussion topics that are well-structured can assist mentees in finding innovative solutions to problems at work, identifying areas for personal growth, and developing new business strategies to reflect changes in their industry.
Types of mentoring topics
Even after your initial meetings, there are many topics that can be discussed to produce beneficial results between a mentor and a mentee. The list that follows examines a few of these subjects to assist you in developing your own original conversational topics
Mentees to mentors
Mentors to mentees
Mentees to mentors
The best way to utilize your time with your mentor is to talk about issues pertaining to your skill set. Think about mentioning the abilities they already have that you wish you could enhance and develop. For instance, discuss your concerns with your mentor and ask for advice on how to give a strong speech if you have recently been hired in a managerial position that requires public speaking but you have little experience doing so.
Talking with your mentor about their own career journey is another way to generate new mentoring topics. Learn about their perspectives on the state of the business at the time of their entry into it, their journey through the organization to the position they currently hold, the lessons they learned early in their careers, or the state of the industry.
It is a great topic to discuss with your mentor during a meeting because feedback can be used as a method of improvement. Get your mentors’ opinions on your recent work performance, a project you oversaw, a written report you produced, or a presentation you gave at a company event if you want them to help you advance professionally.
Allow your mentor to provide you with constructive criticism and make notes on the areas where you could improve as well as where you performed well.
Additionally, you can use this time to ask your mentor for their opinion on a matter pertaining to your professional life. You can use this type of mentoring topic repeatedly to assist you in answering any urgent queries you may have regarding your position and its obligations.
Mentors to mentees
Ask your mentee about their desired career path and additional questions that prompt them to consider whether or not their current position fits that path during your initial meetings with them.
This can benefit both you and your mentee by giving them the guidance and direction they require. It might be crucial to assess their intended career path again to see if their goals have changed.
This can be used as a topic of conversation with a mentee who has recently taken on a leadership role within a company to help them develop their own distinctive leadership style and address any worries they may have about their new position.
You should talk about your mentee’s long- and short-term goals in their current position at the beginning of your professional mentoring relationship. You can also inquire with them about their goals for the business. Work with them to develop an individual development plan (IDP) that addresses a number of career aspirations after helping them brainstorm some ideas. You can use this strategy to assist your mentee in breaking down their goals into doable steps.
If your mentee is new to the company you work for or wants to apply for internal promotions, discussing the policies and culture of your employer with them could be beneficial. Ask them if they have any inquiries about the business, its core principles, important stakeholders, work environment, or career opportunities. A better way to put and that and that could and that could and that could and that could and that could and that could and that could and that could and that could and that could could could
Mentorship 101: 3 Types of Mentor and 5 Conversations with Mentors
FAQ
What to talk about in mentoring sessions?
- Expertise, career development, self-improvement and building skills. …
- Stories. …
- Situational. …
- Accountability. …
- Career development and growth. …
- Career path. …
- Leadership. …
- Entrepreneurship and business.
What are the 3 A’s of mentorship?
It’s crucial to emphasize getting to know one another during a mentoring session. Talk about your background both personally and professionally to find common ground. You can also discuss issues pertaining to leadership, practical guidance, and skills.
