Networking & Career / Finding Mentors and Allies / Lesson 08

LESSON 08 · FINDING MENTORS AND ALLIES

Give Back to Your Mentor

Eighteen easy tips to give back to your mentor, so the link feels fair and warm.

Mentors need kindness too. Give what you can.

25 tipsEasy things to say7-day plan

Start with tip 1

Jump to the 7-day plan

25 tips that really help

These ideas come from Radical Candor (Kim Scott), Give and Take (Adam Grant), Designing Your Life (Bill Burnett and Dave Evans), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.

TIP 1

Why give back

Mentoring is a gift. Small gifts back show gratitude and keep the bond healthy.

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Give back.

TIP 2

Say thank you often

Warm thanks are the first gift. Mention what changed because of them.

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Thank them.

TIP 3

Share useful things

Send an article, a tool or news that may help them. Think of their needs.

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Share one.

TIP 4

Offer a small helping hand

Offer a skill or a few hours if they need it. Younger people often know new tools.

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Offer help.

TIP 5

Praise their work publicly

Write a kind note or post. Public thanks matter.

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Praise them.

TIP 6

Introduce them to someone

Connect them with someone who may help them. Connectors are valued.

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Introduce.

TIP 7

Celebrate their wins

Send congratulations on their news. Joy shared builds bonds.

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Cheer them.

TIP 8

Send a small gift on special days

A card or a small gift can say thanks. Keep it simple.

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Send a card.

TIP 9

Script: thanks

Thank you again, your advice changed my year. Say it warmly.

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Use it.

TIP 10

Script: offer

If you ever need help with something, I would be glad to help. Say it kindly.

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Use it.

TIP 11

Script: praise

I always tell people how helpful you are. Say it sincerely.

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Use it.

TIP 12

Mistake: forgetting special days

A small note can matter, so remember.

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Remember.

TIP 13

Troubleshoot: when you have nothing to give

Words, thanks and updates are gifts. Offer those.

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Offer thanks.

TIP 14

Troubleshoot: when they refuse help

Respect it and keep being kind. Your thanks are enough.

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Respect it.

TIP 15

Drill: send one useful link

Send your mentor one link they may like.

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Send one.

TIP 16

Drill: list three ways to help

Write three ways you could support your mentor.

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List three.

TIP 17

Offer fresh eyes on a project

You may see things they miss. Offer kindly.

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Offer a look.

TIP 18

Send a small gift at the end of a year

A card or book keeps the bond warm.

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Send a card.

TIP 19

Example: the tool tip

Ana showed her mentor a free scheduling tool. He used it daily and thanked her.

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Share a tool.

TIP 20

Example: the public praise

Ben wrote a post thanking his mentor. She was moved.

TRY THIS
Write a post.

TIP 21

Troubleshoot: when you feel you have nothing they need

Your fresh view and kind words matter more than you think.

TRY THIS
Offer kindness.

TIP 22

Send your mentor one kind surprise a year

A thoughtful card, a book or a short video message is a small gift that tells them you remember and care.

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Plan a surprise.

TIP 23

Introduce your mentor to someone who can help them

Making an introduction is one of the nicest ways to give back, because it opens a door for them.

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Think of one person.

TIP 24

Share a story about how their advice helped someone else

When you pass their advice on, tell them, because it shows that their help travels beyond you.

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Tell them.

TIP 25

Ask what you can do to help their project

Offering a fresh pair of hands or ideas shows you care about their work as much as your own.

TRY THIS
Ask kindly.

Easy things to say

When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many networking and career moments.

THANKS

“Thank you for your help.”

SHARE

“Here is an article for you.”

HELP

“Can I help you with something?”

PRAISE

“You helped me a lot.”

INTRO

“I can introduce you to someone.”

CLOSE

“I appreciate you.”

Your first week

One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.

DAY 1
Say thanks

DAY 2
Share a link

DAY 3
Offer help

DAY 4
Give feedback

DAY 5
Introduce someone

DAY 6
Celebrate them

DAY 7
Keep in touch

Further reading

• Radical Candor (Kim Scott)
• Give and Take (Adam Grant)
• Designing Your Life (Bill Burnett and Dave Evans)

The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.

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These lessons share general learning and everyday ideas. They are not medical or mental health advice. If you feel very anxious, low or unwell, please talk to a doctor or a qualified professional.