“I feel bad but this is starting to mentally hurt me. I need to create a boundary but in a caring way.”

This was the beginning of a conversation with a lawyer (partner) who takes attorney wellbeing very seriously. She loves mentoring but was at a breaking point with her mentee.

Because her mentee kept asking for advice around the same topic (again and again). It was pretty clear that the mentee hoped for a different answer.

Not only had my client answered these questions, she had sent additional resources and information her way. More than once.

Continuing to hear the same issues over and over (while giving the same advice/resources again and again) wasn’t productive.

Worse, it was dragging my client down.

This is a clear example of why boundaries are necessary in any mentor/mentee relationship.

Because mentors can only do so much, give so much and be so much for others.

And mentees need a clear indication of the rules they should abide by for the relationship to work (and the mentor to be willing to serve).

We need more people to be willing to mentor others. It improves the health of the people within the organization (and the culture, too). It even helps to achieve better work product.

Which is why I decided to cover how to maximize mentor/mentee relationships in today’s episode of the Life & Law Podcast. Listen here to learn:

• The top 3 benefits of serving as a mentor.

• The benefits of having a mentor (some might surprise you!).

• The 5 main styles of mentorship (and benefits of each).

• 10 ways to maximize mentor/mentee relationships (on both sides).

XO,

Heather