News & Updates
25 Aug 12:32
1 min read
When and How to End a Mentorship the Right Way
End Your Mentorship Gracefully: Learn when it's time to close this chapter and how to transform your relationship into something new
Courtney Ellis
Media Manager
Download Worksheet - Ending a Mentorship Guide For Mentees.pdf
“Every new beginning arises from the end of another.” – Seneca
“Every new beginning arises from the end of another.” – Seneca
Most mentorships will naturally run their course.
But that doesn’t mean the connection ends. In fact, research shows that 75% of mentoring relationships stay in touch after the formal arrangement finishes. Often, they evolve into something richer to professional friendships, peer partnerships, or even reverse mentoring relationships.
Here’s how to close your mentorship chapter with intention, gratitude, and a clear plan for what comes next.
Knowing When to Step Back
You’ll know it’s time to conclude the formal mentorship when you’ve:
- Achieved the goals you outlined in your action plan
- Gained the key skills you set out to learn
- Reached a stage where you need different expertise for your next growth phase
Sometimes the conversations start to feel repetitive rather than energising. Or you realise you’re ready to put your skills into practice independently.
That’s not a loss it’s proof your mentor has prepared you to take the next step.
Plan the Transition Conversation
Strong mentorships end with clarity, not a slow fade-out.
Research on relationship endings shows the best conclusions involve direct communication and a closure plan.
Before you meet, reflect on:
- How will I show my appreciation to my mentor?
- What’s the most meaningful way to celebrate our work together?
“Over the past few months, I’ve learned so much from you. I feel ready to start applying these skills independently, and I’d love to discuss how we might continue our connection in a different way.”
This keeps the focus on your progress, not the end of the formal arrangement.
Structure Your Final Meeting
Your closing conversation should include three parts: celebration, reflection, and future planning.
1. Celebration and Gratitude
Highlight specific areas where your mentor has made a difference:
- Skills they helped you develop
- Opportunities they opened up for you
- Moments where their advice changed your perspective
2. Structured Reflection
Ask yourself:
- Have I achieved my learning goals?
- If not, what prevented me from doing so?
- What did I learn about myself as a person?
- What did I learn about my role as a mentee?
- What specific insights, approaches, or perspectives did I gain?
- What would I do differently in a future mentoring relationship?
3. Future Planning
Consider:
- What concrete next steps will I take?
- What do I still need to learn?
- What professional relationships should I build next?
Document the Relationship’s Value
A written reflection helps you capture what you’ve gained and how you’ll use it.
This could be:
- A short summary of the most valuable things your mentor taught you
- Key skills you’ll continue developing
- Specific moments or advice that had the biggest impact
- How you’ll apply what you’ve learned moving forward
This record becomes a personal guide and a reminder of how much you’ve grown.
Reverse Mentoring & Paying It Forward
Mentorship doesn’t have to be one-way.
As your relationship evolves, you might step into a position where you can offer your mentor fresh insights whether through generational perspectives, cultural understanding, new technologies, or industry trends.
Reflect on:
- What valuable knowledge or perspective do I bring to the table?
- Which of my mentor’s behaviours do I want to carry forward if I mentor someone in the future?
- What strengths could I bring as a mentor?
- What challenges might I face as a mentor, and how can I prepare for them?
By sharing what you’ve learned, you create a ripple effect of growth.
Redefine Your Ongoing Connection
Ask your mentor directly:
“Would you like to stay connected? If so, what’s the best way for us to keep in touch?”
Decide on contact methods (LinkedIn, email, occasional coffee catch-ups) and expectations for how often you’ll connect.
Many concluded mentorships become professional friendships, where both people learn together, share resources, and offer support in new ways.
Use Tools to Support the Transition
If you’ve been tracking your mentorship journey either in Mentor Lane, and note-taking apps, keep that information accessible.
Simple reflection notes you’ll actually maintain are better than elaborate systems you’ll never update.
The Beginning of Something New
The goal is transformation, not termination. You’re not “losing” your mentor, you’re gaining a professional ally who now potentially sees you as an equal.
When you close with celebration, reflection, and strategy, you turn an awkward ending into a launchpad for your next chapter. You also create the space for your mentor to become a peer, collaborator, or even a lifelong friend.
And perhaps, in time, you’ll take on the role of mentor yourself, continuing the cycle of guidance, growth, and mutual learning.
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