This document outlines key components for building effective mentoring relationships based on a qualitative academic study. It identifies 8 key components: 1) open communication and accessibility, 2) setting goals and challenges, 3) showing passion and inspiration, 4) developing a caring personal relationship, 5) mutual respect and trust, 6) exchanging knowledge, 7) fostering independence and collaboration, and 8) role modeling. For each component, it provides strategies for mentors to effectively develop that aspect of the relationship, such as making time for mentees, understanding their learning styles, and conveying knowledge in interesting ways.

1. Building effective
mentoring
relationships
Based on a qualitative academic study
Lewis Nyman

2. Lewis Nyman
Founder of Wild Drives
Electric campervan hire
in Brighton
Senior UX Designer
Previously UX Lead
at Convivio

4. Bill Rix - Veterinary nurse
“[Lewis] is a wellspring of thoughtful, actionable
critique and is, without a doubt, one of the
reasons I was able to advance in my learning and
skills so quickly. That he wants me to succeed is
evident, and his counsel is ample proof.”

5. Sean Clark - Gardener & Illustrator
“If Lewis doesn’t know the answer to a question
I have right away, he puts in the extra eort to
find the right resources to help me understand.
Lewis is the sauce, I really appreciate him”

6. THE BENEFITS OF MENTORING
Career-related
Exposure
Coaching
Challenging assignments
Psychosocial
Role modeling
Validation
Counseling
Friendship

7. KEY COMPONENTS TO EFFECTIVE
MENTORING
Open
communication
& accessibility
Caring
personal
relationship
Goals and
challenges
01 04
Passion and
inspiration
02 03

8. KEY COMPONENTS TO EFFECTIVE
MENTORING
Mutual respect
and trust
Role modelling
Exchange of
knowledge
05 08
Independence
&
collaboration
06 07

9. COMMUNICATION
AND ACCESSIBILITY
01

10. COMMUNICATION AND ACCESSIBILITY
Constructive
criticism
Make time even
when you’re busy
Honest but not harsh.
Always be encouraging.
Be available
asynchronously
Outside of our calls, I try and
respond to questions via
email within 24 hours
Good quality feedback and
advice needs time
Let them figure
out the answer
Try not to correct mentees.
Ask the right questions to
let them figure out the
answer

11. GOALS AND
CHALLENGES
02

12. GOALS AND CHALLENGES
Understand their
long term goals
Set ambitious
goals
How do they want to
develop their career and
why?
Set the right pace
Acknowledge each mentees
individual circumstances
Challenge them beyond
their expectations
Understand
learning style
Not everyone learns in the
same way

13. PASSION AND
INSPIRATION
03

14. PASSION AND INSPIRATION
Show what’s
possible
What’s your
passion?
Find great examples
relevant to your mentees
work
What do you love
about your work?
If you love it then it’s easier
for you mentee to imagine
loving it too
Show what you care about
Show enthusiasm
for your
mentees work
Engage with it, oer not just
critique but suggestions to
take it to the next level

15. A CARING PERSONAL
RELATIONSHIP
04

16. A CARING PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP
Show an interest
in their
personal life
Build good
chemistry
Don’t be too formal.
Learn and understand them
as a whole person

17. MUTUAL RESPECT
AND TRUST
05

18. MUTUAL RESPECT AND TRUST
Let your mentees
forge their
own path
Be honest
Don’t aim to create another
you
Be respectful
Non-judgemental
Be trusting
Trust in your mentees ability

19. “When professors respect
me I work a lot harder
because I don’t want to let
them down.”

20. EXCHANGE OF
KNOWLEDGE
06

21. EXCHANGE OF KNOWLEDGE
Expand their
knowledge
Convey
knowledge in
interesting ways
Bear in mind your mentees
learning style
Send them interesting links
and examples
Apply theory to
real world
situations
Draw from your own
experiences

22. INDEPENDENCE AND
COLLABORATION
07

23. INDEPENDENCE AND COLLABORATION
Let mentees
make mistakes Work together
Find opportunities to
collaborate
Avoid doing their work for
them
Push them
outside of their
comfort zone

24. ROLE MODELING
08

25. ROLE MODELING
Show your ethics
and values
Lead by example
Share your
mistakes and
struggles
Explain why your
work is important

26. Thank you and happy
mentoring!
@lewisnyman & @wild_drives
www.wilddrives.co.uk Slides, research
paper, and more!