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Overview
Making the initial connection could be just the beginning. Learn how to continue the conversation and build the relationship over time...but also know when it’s time to end it.
Learn how to use your platform inbox
Your platform inbox is where you can access all your conversation threads. There, you'll be able to:
- Respond to ongoing conversations
- Schedule, accept, and decline meetings
- Initiate video calls
- and more...
If you don't plan on using the video chat tool embedded in the inbox, we recommend making sure to exchange phone numbers or agree on a location before the meeting!
Prep for your meeting
It takes more than good intentions to make a mentorship productive for both mentor and mentee.
If you want to make a good impression on your flash mentor and get the most out of your meeting, preparation is key!
We're sharing some handy tips below that other mentees and mentors have shared with us.
If you're the mentee
It takes more than good intentions to make a mentorship productive for both mentor and mentee.
If you want to make a good impression on your flash mentor and get the most out of your meeting, preparation is key!
We're sharing some handy tips below that other mentees and mentors have shared with us.
Be curious
Before the meeting, think about what you want to learn from the mentor. It doesn't hurt if you write down your questions in advance! You may not get through all of them, but that way you'll have something to get the conversation started.
| Peer Tip: “I’d ask ’Hey, what’s a day like in your shoes? What’s a week like? What’s your year look like? What do you want the future to look like?’ They provided so many insights that you could never get, even from a book or a website or a google search — stuff you don’t get except from a real human being. Really I felt spoiled by it; it’s been so much good stuff.” Read more. |
Research your mentor
Do your research ahead of time and you'll be able to make your questions specific and meaningful. You'll also find it easier to establish a connection with the mentor if you know what they're interested in or have worked on.
| Peer Tip: “Find out anything you can about the person, anything they put out there that’s public facing . I think it’s a shortcut to a level of openness and intimacy and fun that you can have in your conversations with that person. If you already know that they’re passionate about - say, animal welfare - you immediately have some sort of connection. You immediately have some things to talk about.” Read more. |
Do the legwork
Your mentor is already taking time to share their knowledge and expertise - don't make them do the legwork of scheduling and organizing as well! If you can make life easier for them by using their preferred method of communication or letting them choose the meeting place (if you're meeting in person), do it!
If you're the mentor
It takes more than good intentions to make a mentorship productive for both mentor and mentee. Preparation is key!
We recommend that you review the mentee's profile so you can get a sense of their experience and interests.
| Wondering what mentees are expecting of you? When we asked one mentee what he’d advise mentors to do to make a mentorship successful, he said: “Just give whatever you’re comfortable giving and be fascinating, amazing people - which they already are.” |
Continuing (or ending) the conversation
“Most connections have been one or two meetings and have kind of served their purpose and petered off, which is how it’s supposed to go. You find some people who are the right long-term mentors, and then you meet some people and they give you information, and you do what you can do for them, and then move on to the next thing.”
Your flash mentorship doesn't need to end at a single meeting. From there, some flash mentorships go on to be meaningful connections that benefit both mentor and mentee. Others end after a single conversation or email exchange.
So how do you continue the conversation after that initial contact? When shouldn't you?
- If you'd like to stay in contact, say so! Ask if your mentor/mentee would be interested in connecting again or staying in touch via inbox conversations.
- Don't force it - if you don't think a continuing relationship would be beneficial, let things end.
| Peer tip for mentees: “Just be open to wherever it goes. I’ve had a mentorship either be a one-time meeting or phone call that I got really fascinating information out of, all the way up to somebody who I started meeting with regularly and who got me a job! Mentoring can take all different forms, so just see how it works out.” |
How to end your conversation
2. Go to the relevant conversation thread.
Feedback Survey
After a mentee and mentor finish a scheduled meeting, you'll each receive a feedback survey. This only applies to meetings on the calendar, not flash meetings. If you leave a 5-star review with written feedback, you'll see a checkbox at the bottom of the survey that gives PeopleGrove permission to share your feedback. You can simply untick the box if you'd rather not. Also, when a mentee leaves a 5-star review for a mentor, the mentor receives a message letting them know the impact they've had!
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