How can you show appreciation to your mentor?
Mentors are invaluable sources of guidance, feedback, and support for anyone who wants to grow their leadership skills. They can help you navigate challenges, learn from their experiences, and achieve your goals. But how do you show your gratitude and appreciation to your mentor for their time and effort? Here are some ways to express your thanks and make your mentor feel valued and respected.
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Ben WiseHead of Programmatic Media at Google | Board Director | Startup Advisor | Speaker
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Pascale WAZEN PALPIEDMEA Region Head @ FactSet | Driving Regional Growth |D,E,&I Advocate
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Dr. Muhammad FathyDriving Banking Technology Innovation | 20+ Years in IT Strategy, Cybersecurity & Digital Transformation | Director of…
A simple but heartfelt thank-you note can go a long way in showing your appreciation to your mentor. Whether it's a handwritten card, an email, or a text message, make sure to personalize it with specific examples of how your mentor has helped you, what you have learned from them, and how you have applied their advice. You can also mention how much you enjoy working with them and how much you look forward to future sessions.
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Ben Wise
Head of Programmatic Media at Google | Board Director | Startup Advisor | Speaker
Most mentors are happiest when they see their mentees succeed, and aren't looking for any 'value' in return. A simple hand-written note, explaining how their guidance helped lead to your success, is likely the most effective form of thanks.
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Jodie Lamb
LinkedIn's Ace In The Structured Settlements' Space I Help Attorneys Understand The Win-Win Benefits of Structured Settlements | Providing Financial Peace of Mind for Injured People and Families
Create a personalized storybook that chronicles your mentorship journey. Craft a narrative that highlights key moments, lessons learned, and memorable experiences you've shared. Include illustrations, quotes, and anecdotes that capture the essence of your mentorship. You can use online tools or hire a professional illustrator to bring the storybook to life. Present the storybook as a tangible and heartfelt token of appreciation. This unique and thoughtful gesture not only showcases your gratitude but also reflects the effort and creativity you've invested in expressing your thanks.
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Frenkli Prifti
BPO in Albania | 2.3 Billion $ in PPP Loans | 200 Million $ in ERC |500 Million $ in the Alternative Lending space.
We should always strive to have a life mentor in our lives. Not many are fortunate to have one. And to my mentor: 1)Thank you for your guidance and in making me understand that spiritual peace is important. 2)Thank you for your guidance and in making me understand that a healthy family and faith are the foundations of a men's life. 3)Lastly, thank you for supporting me in every step of my life. Thanks Dad !
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Harry Karydes
I coach today's professionals to become tomorrow's leaders 🚀 | Certified High-Performance Coach.
Most mentors volunteer their time, so be grateful for their contribution toward your success. A simple and sincere thank you will speak volumes. Always end a meeting with this simple but often overlooked phrase.
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Shane C.
Transforming workforce strategies with innovation & passion to reshape the world of work
One of the best ways I’ve show appreciation to my mentors throughout my career is to always pay it forward. I’m thankful to still be a mentee and so grateful to be a mentor as well. Watching those around me succeed and help others do the same is the only appreciation needed.
Another way to show appreciation to your mentor is to give them honest and constructive feedback on their mentoring style, methods, and impact. You can share what you like and what you would like to improve, what works well and what doesn't, and how they can help you better. This will show your mentor that you value their input, that you are open to learning, and that you want to grow together.
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Milos E.
Honest appreciation is a very valuable form of gratitude. It takes effort for your mentor to create your mentorship plan, choose the best methods to transfer knowledge, and monitor your progress. By giving them sincere feedback on their work, you will make them feel acknowledged and appreciated. When expressing your gratitude, be specific about what you found particularly beneficial in their mentorship approach. You should also honestly and respectfully tell them about things that could be improved. Mentors may not be aware of certain aspects that could be enhanced unless it's brought to their attention.
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Henry Love
Linkedin 'Top Voice' | Executive Director (CEO) - Composable Foundation (Picasso Network)
I firmly believe that providing honest and constructive feedback to a mentor is not just a form of appreciation, but a crucial element of a dynamic learning relationship. From my perspective, it demonstrates a deep level of engagement and respect for the mentor's efforts. In my experience, effective feedback should be a blend of acknowledging what works well in the mentoring process and suggesting areas for improvement. This approach not only shows that you value and respect their guidance but also that you are actively invested in the mentoring relationship. It's important to communicate in a way that is open and receptive, fostering an environment where both mentor and mentee can grow and learn from each other.
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George Rivera
Senior Vice President of SHRM Enterprise Solutions: Hire great people | Build amazing solutions | Earn customer's applause
It's honestly a tough mindset to get into, but mentorship is a two-way street. Feedback, when constructive, really does help your mentor and bolsters the overall relationship. So, there's a time and a place for feedback. Someone else here said honesty is gratitude, and I love that because gratitude is what solidifies relationships.
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Paramita Roy Thakur
Incident Manager ll Six Sigma Black Belt Certified ll MBA in Digital Marketing ll Bangalore
Another way to show appreciation to your mentor is to give them honest and constructive feedback on their mentoring style, methods, and impact. You can share what you like and what you would like to improve, what works well and what doesn't, and how they can help you better. This will show your mentor that you value their input, that you are open to learning, and that you want to grow together.
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Prof Jack Wong
❌ (Retired) Tax Advisor | Author | Blair Singer Senior Leader & Facilitator in Sales, Team & Personal Development | Master TetraMap Facilitator | Teacher Are Leaders Who Lead, Teach & Inspire Others Through Facilitation
In my experience, showing appreciation to your mentor goes beyond feedback on their methods. It involves demonstrating their impact on your personal and professional growth. Sharing specific instances where their guidance made a difference is meaningful. This could be a moment their advice helped you overcome a challenge or when their insights led to a breakthrough. Articulating tangible outcomes acknowledges their contribution and reinforces the mentor-mentee relationship. Such genuine sharing resonates deeply, showing the real-world impact of their efforts.
Your mentor wants to see you succeed and reach your potential. That's why they invest their time and energy in helping you. One of the best ways to show appreciation to your mentor is to share your progress and achievements with them. Let them know how you have implemented their suggestions, how you have overcome obstacles, and how you have reached your milestones. Celebrate your wins and acknowledge their role in your journey. This will make your mentor feel proud and happy for you.
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Pascale WAZEN PALPIED
MEA Region Head @ FactSet | Driving Regional Growth |D,E,&I Advocate
Don't hesitate to let your mentor know -even when it's long after your discussion- how their advice helped you implement an idea or helped you reach the objective you had set! I recently did that, and felt that the mentor was really pleased to hear. It's nice to see the impact they had.
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Dr. Muhammad Fathy
Driving Banking Technology Innovation | 20+ Years in IT Strategy, Cybersecurity & Digital Transformation | Director of Technology Services @ Banque du Caire | 📘 Author & 🎙 Speaker | Let’s Connect for Growth 🚀
Updating your mentor on your progress and achievements is a powerful way to express gratitude. It not only demonstrates the impact of their guidance but also affirms their investment in your success. Share details about how you've implemented their suggestions, overcome challenges, and reached important milestones. Celebrate your victories, and explicitly acknowledge the role your mentor played in your accomplishments. This not only fosters a sense of pride for your mentor but also reinforces the collaborative nature of your mentorship, highlighting the shared joy in your journey towards success.
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Kara Kendi
Workforce Strategy & Planning Lead @ HubSpot
To demonstrate appreciation to your mentor, it's crucial to recognise that mentorship is a two-way street. In my experience on of the most effective ways to express gratitude is by consistently honouring commitments made during mentoring sessions. Taking the initiative to provide proactive updates in subsequent sessions adds value, such as sharing how discussions inspired specific actions, like implementing advice or pursuing projects. For example, communicating, "We discussed X, which inspired me to do Y. I followed through, and the impact was Z," not only showcases your commitment but also highlights the tangible outcomes of their guidance.
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Harry Karydes
I coach today's professionals to become tomorrow's leaders 🚀 | Certified High-Performance Coach.
A superstar mentee completes tasks and fulfills expectations. This professional relationship is an active process. If you discuss a particular goal with your mentor, and she offers advice on how to get closer to this goal, then you must complete the tasks given to you. Was it a book recommendation? Were you asked to connect with a colleague recommended by your mentor? If so, please complete the request. If you know you will not be able, say so from the start.
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Nainil Chheda
Get 3 To 5 Qualified Leads Every Week Or You Don’t Pay. I Teach People How To Get Clients Without Online Ads. Created Over 10,000 Pieces Of Content. LinkedIn Coach. Text +1-267-241-3796
Mentorship isn't a one-way street. Celebrate victories; it's a shared win. Keep them in the loop. Show progress, not just problems. Your success is their ROI. It's not just about acknowledgment; it's about validation. Your wins aren't just yours; they're a testament to their guidance. Sharing success isn't boasting; it's gratitude in action.
Your mentor may not need your help or support, but they will appreciate it if you offer it. You can show your appreciation to your mentor by offering to help them with their projects, goals, or challenges. You can also offer to support them in their own learning and development, by sharing your insights, resources, or connections. You can also offer to be a reference, a testimonial, or a advocate for them. This will show your mentor that you care about them and that you are willing to give back.
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Carlo Fontelo, MPM
Commercial Division Head at Metro Dumaguete Water
Sense of Gratitude In terms of career development, you are where you are now today because of your mentor. Never forget what your mentor did for you, who developed not only your skills but also your character as a person. At some point, there will come a time you mentor will be the one who needs your assistance. Show gratitude by helping you mentor in any way you can. Giving back to your mentor, in my opinion, is the biggest fulfillment for a person's career.
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Mel Parker PCC, CPC, MP-ELI
LinkedIn Top Voice (Leadership, Executive Coaching, Emotional Intelligence)★President and CEO ★ Corporate Board Director ★ Executive Coach ★ Public Speaker ★ Leadership Development ★ Servant Leader ★ Culture Whisperer
The trust relationship with a Mentor can provide both a positive trajectory and acceleration impact to your career. So great Mentees acknowledge the value of the relationship by focusing on ways to "pay it forward". One of those ways is figuring out how to add value to the Mentor. I focus on adding value in to aspects - internal facing and external facing. Internal facing is the value i can bring to my Mentor - knowledge, information, new ideas, thought leadership, resources and insights. External facing is the value I can project about my Mentor - their knowledge, insights, availability, vision, selflessness etc. Great Mentees are always focused on building value, adding value and projecting value of the Mentor-Mentee relationship.
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Henry Love
Linkedin 'Top Voice' | Executive Director (CEO) - Composable Foundation (Picasso Network)
Offering help and support to a mentor is a profound way to demonstrate appreciation and respect. Despite their experience and expertise, also appreciate knowing they can rely on their mentees for support or collaboration. From my experience, this gesture of reciprocity transforms the traditional mentor-mentee relationship into a mutually beneficial partnership. Whether it's assisting with a project, sharing valuable insights, or extending your network, these actions show that you value and acknowledge the mentor's influence in your life. Offering to serve as a reference or advocate for them further cements this relationship, exemplifying a deep sense of gratitude and a commitment to supporting each other's growth and success.
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Rebecca C.
LinkedIn Top Voice | Leadership | Project Management | Strategy & Business Development
Ideally, both parties should be benefiting from the process of mentorship. Offering help and support to your mentor is one of the many ways to do this. Ideas: - Offer to sit in on meetings and/or take meeting minutes for your mentor - Show appreciation through emailing your mentor's boss how much of a positive impact they've had on your career. This helps to further establish your mentor as a thought-leader and expert in their field. Ultimately, the mentor/mentee relationship, at its best, is mutually beneficial where both parties empower each other and have each other's backs.
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Isha K.
I Design Dreams into Reality | Design Consultant | 3D | Interior | Graphics & Visual | Worked Remotely with 8+ Nations
Offer your mentor support by aiding in their projects or learning, sharing insights or connections, and providing references. This gesture illustrates your gratitude and willingness to reciprocate. It showcases your care and commitment to their growth, fostering a stronger and more mutually beneficial mentorship relationship.
One of the highest forms of appreciation you can show to your mentor is to refer them to others who can benefit from their mentoring. You can spread the word about their expertise, skills, and value, and connect them with potential mentees, clients, or partners. You can also write a recommendation, a review, or a endorsement for them on their website, social media, or professional platforms. This will show your mentor that you trust them, that you respect their work, and that you want to help them grow their network and influence.
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Rebecca C.
LinkedIn Top Voice | Leadership | Project Management | Strategy & Business Development
Vouching for your mentor publicly or to their boss and teams shows that you value their leadership, guidance, and insights. You can execute this through your company's intranet site, LinkedIn recommendations, and/or recognition at company events (if it's the appropriate setting for announcements and both parties are comfortable).
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Chetachi Ezumba Okechukwu
Deputy General Manager / Regional Bank Head, Fidelity Bank | Business Development Expert | Financial Analyst | Team Leader
I do believe that crafting and writing a heartfelt recommendation for your mentor is a noble expression of gratitude. This act not only showcases your appreciation but also elevates your mentor's credibility in the public space.
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Shawn Torres
CEO & Visionary 💡 | Cybersecurity 🛡, Business Security 🔒 & Telecommunications 📱 Expert | Ask Me About Simplifying Business Operations with Technology 💬 | CEO & Co-Founder of In-Telecom
One powerful way to express appreciation for your mentor is by referring them to others who could benefit from their guidance and expertise. This not only shows that you value their mentorship but also helps them expand their influence and impact. By referring your mentor to potential mentees, you not only acknowledge the value they bring to your life but also help them expand their mentoring legacy.
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Isha K.
I Design Dreams into Reality | Design Consultant | 3D | Interior | Graphics & Visual | Worked Remotely with 8+ Nations
You can elevate your mentor's influence by referring them to potential mentees or partners, endorsing their expertise, and writing recommendations. These actions not only extend their network but also affirm your trust and respect for their work, showcasing your commitment to their growth and impact.
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Dr.Geetha Plackal
Marine Scientist, Benthic eco.& taxo., Zoologist,Ocean advocate, Ocean Literacy, Director @World Alliance for Planetary Health,LinkedIn Influencer, Invited Speaker, Eco Influencer,Climate Reality Leader, #Hydrospatial
This is very true. The mentors will get new connections.We need to refer mentors to our connections. If we want we can mention about our mentor in interviews and talks. It will definitely a support to get more mentees. Also this will help mentors to grow their career to a wide network.
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