How to End a Mentoring Relationship When It's Time

The presence of a mentor can do a wealth of good to one’s professional development and career. And just like all relationships, mentoring also comes to an end. But how to end a mentoring relationship when the time comes?

Whether the mentoring relationship has successfully achieved the stated goals or the pairing has become ineffective or inconsistent, knowing how to say goodbye can be crucial. The end of a relationship is a normal part of life and does not reflect one’s ability to be a mentor or a mentee. It is an inevitable part of life that signals growth. The big question is how can you say goodbye to your mentor or mentee without burning bridges? 

In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of ending a mentoring relationship and knowing how to say goodbye amicably. We’ll also be guidance program administrators on the next step to complete the match’s mentoring journey. Let’s dive in. 

When Is It Time to End a Mentoring Relationship?

No two mentoring relationships are the same– from the topics being discussed to the amount of time spent with each mentor. Some programs also proceed at different paces so they wrap up at their own timelines, depending on the mentor and mentee’s commitment. the timeline and availability of each participant should be established at the start of the mentoring relationship with the help of a Mentoring Agreement. Some relationships will end at a set time, while others finish when stated goals are achieved. 

This is the beauty of an Always-On mentoring program compared to a Cohort-based mentoring. With the former, pairs can decide when to start and wrap up the mentorship. The latter, on the other hand, assumes that everyone wants a mentoring relationship for the same amount of time. They also have to wait for a schedule before they can start their mentoring program and end at the same time as everyone else. 

Related Article: How Long Should a Mentorship Program Last?

Why Do Mentoring Relationships End?

Some of the common reasons why mentoring relationships end include: 

Mentoring goals have been completed

When the mentor and mentee have worked together to complete and accomplish established goals, it is natural for the relationship to come to a close. This allows the mentor to work with a new mentee. 

A change in priorities

Sometimes, a change in a person’s circumstances brought about by external factors can disrupt the mentoring commitment. Whether it’s a new personal circumstance or a professional opportunity, it’s a reminder that life happens. These factors are often uncontrollable and can make continuing the relationship a challenge. 

Mismatched Mentor/Mentee

One of the most common reasons why mentoring programs fail is due to a mismatch between the mentor and mentee. This can often happen in the case of a manual pairing between the mentor and mentee, which can bring about unconscious bias. The result of this can be dissatisfaction between the pair since their personalities and values are not a match for each other. Sometimes, mentors and mentees fail to connect, and that’s perfectly normal. The best way to work on this is to use a science-based matching algorithm to minimise mismatches.  

How to End a Mentoring Relationship Without Burning Bridges

Saying goodbye to a mentor can be tough, especially if they’ve left a huge impact on your life. But since mentoring relationships come to an end, it’s important to know how to end a mentoring relationship with respect. Some of the things you can do include the following:

• Evaluate your progress: Check if the goals specified in the Mentoring Agreement have been met. 

• Talk about future steps: Discuss with your mentor what the next steps will be. How do you plan to stay in touch, if you both are open to occasional check-ins and updates. Keep things professional. 

• Say thank you: A simple thank you goes a long way. Showing your gratitude to your mentor shows respect and closure in your relationship. 

• Celebrate your milestone: Every relationship provides some opportunity for growth and learning. Celebrate achievements in the relationship, no matter how small. 

The end of your mentoring relationship doesn’t mean you need to sever ties with your mentor. Keep the connection professional for future collaborative opportunities that may arise. 

When Does the Program Administrator Need to Step In? 

In the case of a mismatched mentor-mentee or a change in circumstance, the program administrator is the best person to assist. The administrator is well-versed in how to handle such situations before they escalate. This is why it’s best to reach out to the administrator and use the available resources on the mentoring software. It’s better to acknowledge the lack of chemistry between the mentor and mentee instead of just ghosting the other party. 

Brancher’s mentoring software helps program administrators minimise mismatches thanks to its algorithm. Mentors and mentees are paired via attitude and values, which provides a satisfaction guarantee of over 90%. Call us today to book a demo to see how our platform works.