Like all relationships in life, a healthy mentorship requires ongoing attention and effort on both sides in order for it to remain relevant, constructive, and beneficial. Overtime, all relationships change and develop with time and circumstance, and it takes extra effort to make sure the relationship stays healthy. When it comes to mentorship, if the relationship is built on a solid foundation of trust and respect, the changing dynamics should come naturally. But in order for this change to occur in the most effective way possible, you must keep a few things in mind. Read on to discover 3 keys to maintaining a healthy mentorship.

Communication is a must

No relationship is ever successful without the art of communication. It is nearly impossible to reach your goals without communicating with others you depend on along the way. Share your objectives, your state of mind, and the events in your life that affect both your objectives and state of mind. Share whatever you can with the other person to offer the most wholesome understanding of yourself and your goals,  so they can offer you the most complete and effective guidance.

Always avoid comparisons

Likely, when relationships are changing, it’s because major changes are occurring in one, if not both, of the lives of the parties involved. At times, it may seem natural to compare the other person’s experience to your own. But it’s important to avoid comparison at all costs. Instead of comparing someone else’s situation to your own, acknowledge that their experience is likely different from your own, and then explain to them what worked for you and what didn’t. In doing so, you give the other person a sense of validation, while also offering helpful information.

Understand that any relationship is fluid

Every mentorship is different, and there are valuable lessons learned through each one. So remember that there is no hard and fast rule when it comes to mentorship. Mentorship is not when one person teaches another a skill or tells them what to do. Instead, mentorship is when two people build a foundation of trust that allows them to take away valuable lessons from their interactions together. So while there maybe a defined mentor and mentee, this does not mean there are set rules to follow. Learn from each other whenever possible and embrace the fluidity of mentorship.

Remember these three keys to maintaining a healthy mentorship, and watch the relationship you have built thrive.