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In today’s world, it is essential to create bonding with a mentor, a person who understands your aspirations, believes in your potential and pushes you forward to manifest the best version of yourself.
In many multicultural trainings I conducted or have been actively involved in, I have encountered exceptional mentors and mentees. As a mentee, I was often wondering how can I show my spiritual, academic, and professional mentors appreciation?
And as a mentor, some of my mentees/friends have also asked me: how may we give back to you?
My answer was simply by staying faithful to our mutual journey of growth and by giving back to the community as mentioned:
“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9).
On a pragmatic note, this mantra can be applied through the following steps:
Staying involved
Every bond has started from a genuine investment in a relationship based on reciprocity leading to a partnership.
Your mentor has seen the seed within you and is committed to watering it. Thus, you need to stay as transparent as you can while keeping your mentor constantly informed and involved in all the stages of your battles. She/he also deserves to be appreciated and recognized in the celebration of your wins.
I have personally experienced long-distance mentorship. I was always keen on updating my mentors on the status of my milestones. Besides, I felt a sense of fulfillment every time I witness the improvement of my mentees or when they reach out to me with a special announcement.
Throughout the mentorship, you will value apprenticeship. You will be in a pursuit of professional as well as personal growth. Thus, the tremendous challenges and outlooks urge you to:
“Be daring in your prayer, and the Lord will turn you from a pessimist into an optimist; from being timid, to being daring, from being feeble spirited to being a man of faith, an apostle!” (Catholic Leadership for Civil Society: A Practical Guide on Authentic Lay Leadership).
Articulate appreciation
An act of gratitude is the best attitude.
Give credit to your mentor when you reach a certain goal and recommend them to others. If you know they are interested in a certain field, it can be a good idea to share with them some opportunities, or to invite them to a conference to share their expertise. Gratitude can also be expressed through kind words or simple gifts, make it personalized; it will mean to them!
A letter of appreciation with a handcrafted gift can make a mentor’s day brighter.
Always remember to be there, in their good and bad days.
Believe me, it matters!
Comeback
It all depends on the nature and intensity of the mentorship status.
Usually, a mentor would be open to receiving feedback on the process. So, it would be crucial to provide continuous assessment of the methodology and outcomes. This 2-way communication and knowledge-sharing strategy will pay off by strengthening trust and supporting adaptability.
Hence,
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
How would you describe your relationship with your mentor? Drop them a word of appreciation or just share the article with someone who needs to read it!
Eva Oueiss is a passionate Scholar, TEDx Speaker, Journalist, and Public Relations Consultant. She holds an MA in Media Studies (summa cum laude). A storyteller by nature, she nurtures 7+ years of experience in documenting stories aiming at empowering and inspiring the pubic. Mainly interested in education, leadership, communications, and human rights.
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