Honoring Your Mentor

While there is no formal end to a mentoring relationship, there will come a time when the active mentoring will transition to more of a passive relationship. This could be due to job changes, relocations, or your own needs have evolved. While there may no longer be an active mentoring relationship, you need to recognize the support your mentor provided you. Here are ways to do this:

1. Periodically send your mentor a career update. A good way to do this is to send a note at Christmas, New Year’s, or your mentor’s birthdate. Make sure to set a reminder on your phone.
2. Whenever you are promoted or receive some form of recognition, send a note to your mentor. Typically, these notes will contain some reflection for what you learned form your mentor.
3. Pay it forward. Be a mentor for someone else and honor your mentor by being a good mentor.
4. If your mentor has a favorite charity or public service activity, think of making a contribution in your mentor’s name.
5. When you can, ask your mentor to lunch or dinner. This is a good way to say thanks in a quiet way.

The suggestions above are simply things that a decent human being will do to say thanks to someone who has been helpful. They are also actions that too often get ignored as you get busy.