Disappointed with my Mentee

Once again I feel a sense of disappointment with my Backing Young Britain Mentee. Mentee has once again failed to ring me when she said she would. I can't help myself thinking "youth of today" and shaking my head - and then realising how old that makes me.




My problem is finding the right approach. I don't want to take a heavy approach with her - she might back off and that would be it. But at the same time I want her to realise that what she's getting is a gift and one she at some point in her life might actually appreciate. I'm taking time out of my working day to help and support her. I still have to complete all my work tasks. So the very least she could do is keep her appointments or let me know if she can't - a courtesy.

I have sent her an email asking if everything is OK but I will need to take a tougher stance going forward.

Learning Point

It can be easy to judge people, to have a pre-conceived idea of who they are, what they're about and how they'll act - and this is something I'm going to have to move away from as a life coach an d learn to treat everyone on face value.

My Backing Young Britain Mentee contacted me today. I'd written her off. One session, confirmation to the job centre that's she'd attended, allowances in tact. And that was the overriding feeling. She'd missed a meeting - just one, and failed to respond to my messages and I'd written her off.


I guess not everyone checks their email daily.

Just one week later she contacts me. She's been given a three month placement under a government backed incentive and will be doing some admin work in a local hospital. Its a fantastic opportunity to get some relevant work experience and a chance to prove herself and come out with some good references. It wasn't easy to talk, she was on her mobile so we're going to have a proper chat next week. I'm really looking forward to it. but my learning point this week is go give people more of a chance.