Recently, one of my mentees told me that effective mentoring is rare today.
I believe that sharing knowledge and experience through mentoring can genuinely change someone’s career path - and become a fast track to professional growth.
If you’ve ever had a mentor or participated in a mentoring program, you probably know how important it is to find the right mentor. Let me know in the comments what made your mentoring experience truly effective? What qualities, competencies, or approach did your mentor have?
And if you haven’t participated in a mentoring program yet - what would be most important to you when choosing a mentor?
Having a mentoring contract in place that specifies the objectives, expectations, rules of engagement and potential duration of the active relationship can help to reduce the likelihood of a mismatch. It is also important for there to be a candid initial meeting between mentor and mentee to identify red flags which could reduce the benefits of the relationship.
Having a mentoring contract in place that specifies the objectives, expectations, rules of engagement and potential duration of the active relationship can help to reduce the likelihood of a mismatch. It is also important for there to be a candid initial meeting between mentor and mentee to identify red flags which could reduce the benefits of the relationship.
Kiron
Thank you for your perspective Kiron Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Great mentoring is not about giving answers.
It is about helping someone think better, decide with more clarity, and grow with confidence.
The best mentors combine: • Genuine curiosity, • The courage to challenge constructively, • The humility to guide without creating dependency.
A mentor’s real success is not measured by influence over the mentee, but by the mentee’s ability to think, decide, and grow independently.
...
1 reply by Anna Herer
May 23, 2026 7:48 AM
Anna Herer
...
I agree with you, Luis. Good mentoring is about building self-awareness (of strengths, areas for development, values, supporting and limiting beliefs), the mentee’s confidence, belief in their own talents and abilities, as well as the ability to consult others, ask for help, and seek advice. All of this fosters independence in thinking and action, while also providing the necessary support.
It is about helping someone think better, decide with more clarity, and grow with confidence.
The best mentors combine: • Genuine curiosity, • The courage to challenge constructively, • The humility to guide without creating dependency.
A mentor’s real success is not measured by influence over the mentee, but by the mentee’s ability to think, decide, and grow independently.
I agree with you, Luis. Good mentoring is about building self-awareness (of strengths, areas for development, values, supporting and limiting beliefs), the mentee’s confidence, belief in their own talents and abilities, as well as the ability to consult others, ask for help, and seek advice. All of this fosters independence in thinking and action, while also providing the necessary support. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Simple: understand what to be a mentor means and put the ground rules in place from the very beginning with the mentee.
...
1 reply by Anna Herer
May 24, 2026 5:27 AM
Anna Herer
...
Interesting point Sergio. I’m curious what being a great mentor means to you in practice.
What does effective mentorship look like from your perspective? What qualities, knowledge, or experience do you think truly make a difference in a mentor?
Saving Changes...
SANTOSH BADGUJARCHIEF OPERATING OFFICER| Accumax Lab DevicesAhmedabad, Gujarat, India
Anna, the observation that effective mentorship is rare resonates with my experience on both sides of the relationship.
The best mentors I've had—and tried to emulate as a COO mentoring operations leads and PMs—share several qualities that go beyond simply having experience to share:
1. They listen before they advise. Effective mentors don't project their own career path onto the mentee. They take time to understand the mentee's goals, context, and constraints before offering guidance. The least effective mentors I've encountered essentially told their own story and expected the mentee to follow it.
2. They ask questions that shift perspective. The most powerful moments in mentoring aren't when a mentor shares an answer—they're when a mentor asks a question that makes you see your situation differently. "What would you do if you weren't afraid of the answer?" is worth more than most tactical advice.
3. They're honest, even when it's uncomfortable. Real mentorship includes feedback that challenges the mentee. A mentor who only validates never helps you grow. The best ones tell you what you need to hear while helping you see how to address it.
4. They make connections, not just conversations. Introductions to relevant people, resources, or opportunities multiply the value a mentor provides beyond their direct insights.
5. They hold the mentee accountable. Following up on commitments, asking about progress, and maintaining continuity transforms mentoring from occasional advice into a genuine developmental relationship.
Effective mentorship is rare because these qualities require time, intention, and genuine care—not just credentials.
...
2 replies by Anna Herer and Aung Sint
May 24, 2026 5:19 AM
Anna Herer
...
Santosh, a very interesting perspective - and one that resonates with me deeply.
Listen deeply, help broaden perspectives, and allow mentees to safely experiment and learn by providing them with the resources and support they need to act. Give as much as the mentee is ready to take.
At the same time, it’s important to remember that growth almost always means stepping outside of the comfort zone - and that requires courage, effort, and a willingness to move through uncertainty, which naturally brings discomfort.
May 24, 2026 7:43 AM
Aung Sint
...
Reflecting on my own mentor/mentee experiences, I couldn't agree with you on your points. Thanks for sharing.
Anna, the observation that effective mentorship is rare resonates with my experience on both sides of the relationship.
The best mentors I've had—and tried to emulate as a COO mentoring operations leads and PMs—share several qualities that go beyond simply having experience to share:
1. They listen before they advise. Effective mentors don't project their own career path onto the mentee. They take time to understand the mentee's goals, context, and constraints before offering guidance. The least effective mentors I've encountered essentially told their own story and expected the mentee to follow it.
2. They ask questions that shift perspective. The most powerful moments in mentoring aren't when a mentor shares an answer—they're when a mentor asks a question that makes you see your situation differently. "What would you do if you weren't afraid of the answer?" is worth more than most tactical advice.
3. They're honest, even when it's uncomfortable. Real mentorship includes feedback that challenges the mentee. A mentor who only validates never helps you grow. The best ones tell you what you need to hear while helping you see how to address it.
4. They make connections, not just conversations. Introductions to relevant people, resources, or opportunities multiply the value a mentor provides beyond their direct insights.
5. They hold the mentee accountable. Following up on commitments, asking about progress, and maintaining continuity transforms mentoring from occasional advice into a genuine developmental relationship.
Effective mentorship is rare because these qualities require time, intention, and genuine care—not just credentials.
Santosh, a very interesting perspective - and one that resonates with me deeply.
Listen deeply, help broaden perspectives, and allow mentees to safely experiment and learn by providing them with the resources and support they need to act. Give as much as the mentee is ready to take.
At the same time, it’s important to remember that growth almost always means stepping outside of the comfort zone - and that requires courage, effort, and a willingness to move through uncertainty, which naturally brings discomfort.
Simple: understand what to be a mentor means and put the ground rules in place from the very beginning with the mentee.
Interesting point Sergio. I’m curious what being a great mentor means to you in practice.
What does effective mentorship look like from your perspective? What qualities, knowledge, or experience do you think truly make a difference in a mentor? Saving Changes...
SANTOSH BADGUJARCHIEF OPERATING OFFICER| Accumax Lab DevicesAhmedabad, Gujarat, India
For me, great mentorship starts with clarity and deep listening. The best mentors ask thoughtful questions, give honest feedback, and help you grow more confident and independent over time. Saving Changes...
Anna, the observation that effective mentorship is rare resonates with my experience on both sides of the relationship.
The best mentors I've had—and tried to emulate as a COO mentoring operations leads and PMs—share several qualities that go beyond simply having experience to share:
1. They listen before they advise. Effective mentors don't project their own career path onto the mentee. They take time to understand the mentee's goals, context, and constraints before offering guidance. The least effective mentors I've encountered essentially told their own story and expected the mentee to follow it.
2. They ask questions that shift perspective. The most powerful moments in mentoring aren't when a mentor shares an answer—they're when a mentor asks a question that makes you see your situation differently. "What would you do if you weren't afraid of the answer?" is worth more than most tactical advice.
3. They're honest, even when it's uncomfortable. Real mentorship includes feedback that challenges the mentee. A mentor who only validates never helps you grow. The best ones tell you what you need to hear while helping you see how to address it.
4. They make connections, not just conversations. Introductions to relevant people, resources, or opportunities multiply the value a mentor provides beyond their direct insights.
5. They hold the mentee accountable. Following up on commitments, asking about progress, and maintaining continuity transforms mentoring from occasional advice into a genuine developmental relationship.
Effective mentorship is rare because these qualities require time, intention, and genuine care—not just credentials.
Reflecting on my own mentor/mentee experiences, I couldn't agree with you on your points. Thanks for sharing.
Community Champion
