In a recent live webinar, Kat, our CEO, and Susie, Head of Programmes, dived deep into the art of running effective mentoring programmes, addressing common challenges and offering practical solutions for programme managers, mentors, and mentees alike. Here’s a look at the key insights discussed and how they can transform mentoring programmes for stronger, longer-lasting impact.

1. The Importance of Intentional Programme Design

Kat and Susie highlighted that successful mentoring programmes require a thoughtful design—one that considers structure, goals, and relationship dynamics. For instance, they emphasised how setting clear, shared objectives from the beginning enhances both mentor and mentee commitment and satisfaction.

Deepen Your Understanding: For those looking to design mentoring programmes with purpose and measurable impact, our Running Effective Mentoring Programmes (REMP) course offers actionable frameworks and strategies that support impactful design.

2. Creating Psychological Safety for Honest Engagement

One of the most powerful themes in the discussion was the importance of psychological safety. For mentors and mentees to communicate effectively, they need to feel secure, respected, and open to expressing concerns or learning needs. Kat shared examples of how psychological safety not only builds trust but also allows mentoring relationships to adapt and evolve over time.

Reflection Question: What steps can you take to build psychological safety in your current mentoring relationships or programmes?

Building trust takes skill. Consider enrolling in our Mentoring Skills and Practice (MSP) course to learn how to establish boundaries, set expectations, and ensure effective communication.

3. The Role of Self-Awareness in Mentoring

Susie discussed self-awareness as a cornerstone for successful mentoring. Mentees who are clear about their goals, strengths, and areas for growth can make the most of mentoring by actively leading their development journey. Conversely, mentors who recognise their own biases and limitations provide more authentic, supportive guidance.

Self-Awareness Exercise: Try creating a personal reflection journal to explore your motivations and challenges within the mentoring context. For mentees, our Make the Most of Mentoring (MMM) course provides practical tools to cultivate self-awareness as the foundation of a productive mentoring journey.

4. Managing Expectations and Setting Boundaries

A common pitfall in mentoring programmes is mismatched expectations between mentors and mentees. Kat and Susie discussed how establishing clear boundaries and agreements can prevent misunderstandings and sustain positive interactions. When both parties know their roles and responsibilities, mentoring becomes a smoother, more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Takeaway Tip: Implement a simple agreement form or template for mentoring relationships to set the right tone and expectations.

5. Building Resilience Through Mentoring

Kat shared that one of the less-discussed benefits of mentoring is its ability to foster resilience in leaders. Facing challenges together, learning from setbacks, and receiving real-time feedback help mentees build resilience and adaptability—skills vital for entrepreneurial success.

Expand Your Practice: If you’re looking to explore how mentoring can enhance resilience in your programme participants, our Mentoring Entrepreneurs book offers further insights and practical strategies to make mentoring a true catalyst for growth.

Embrace the Journey with a Reflective Approach

Finally, Susie reminded us that mentoring is a journey of mutual learning. By approaching mentoring with a spirit of curiosity and openness, both mentors and mentees can gain insights that stretch far beyond the immediate goals of the relationship.

Are You Ready to Transform Your Mentoring Practice? Explore our full suite of mentoring courses designed to build practical skills, deepen understanding, and drive impact.

Watch the full video here.