Sometimes, distance or other complications make it difficult to meet with mentees face-to-face.\u00a0 If you want to keep a pattern of bi-weekly mentor sessions, you may need to meet with them online.[1]<\/a>\u00a0 Understandably, many mentors who are compelled to meet online mourn the loss of sitting across the table from their mentees, looking them in the eye, reading their body language, and enjoying their company.\u00a0 However, if your only option is meeting online, how do you overcome the disadvantages and maximize your time?\u00a0 Here are some tips.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Before the meeting, check internet speed and connectivity in your location; ask the mentee to do the same.\u00a0 Check your equipment, especially your speakers, headphones, and microphone.\u00a0 Ask your mentee to do the same.\u00a0 Nothing makes an awkward online setting feel unbearable more than a terrible connection or a crackling mic.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p><\/a>Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/div>\n Ask the mentee to set up his\/her computer or phone in a location that is private and free from distractions.\u00a0 Be sure you do the same.\u00a0 Consider wearing headphones and encouraging your mentee to do the same to assist with confidentiality; the sound of a voice speaking through a computer or phone speaker carries farther than people realize.\u00a0 Your spouse or roommate may overhear your conversation.[2]<\/a><\/p>\n Shutdown unnecessary apps\/programs and silence notifications so you are less tempted to check on other matters during the meeting.\u00a0 You will also not distract mentees by all the beeps and buzzes on your device.\u00a0 Note that attentive mentees notice when you are surfing apps or checking email; they can easily spot it in your eyes moving around the screen.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you are feeling nervous about meeting online, your mentees may be too.\u00a0 Be honest with them about it; they may be relieved that they are not the only ones.\u00a0<\/p>\n During times of discomfort about meeting online, use the mentor session process in this book exactly as you learn it until you are more comfortable with the setting.\u00a0 In uncertain situations, it\u2019s better to stick with what you know.\u00a0\u00a0 There will be plenty of opportunities to customize the way you facilitate mentor sessions in the future.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ask the mentee to keep his\/her camera on throughout the session (if it is appropriate and possible) and keep your camera on as well.\u00a0 Even though you are seeing your mentee through a screen, you can still catch much of his\/her body language and emotional cues.\u00a0 Consider using \u201cspeaker view,\u201d so the video of the mentee fills much of the screen when he\/she is speaking.\u00a0<\/p>\n Don\u2019t be so disappointed in the online platform that you rush the session along or subconsciously skip true relational connection because you are convinced that it\u2019s inferior.\u00a0 Slow things down.\u00a0 Ask the mentee about his\/her life, his\/her highs and lows.\u00a0 Make it more a conversation than a formal meeting, especially because online platforms tend to put us all into \u201cmeeting mode.\u201d<\/p>\n While taking notes about the meeting can be helpful, try to avoid noisy typing or giving the impression that you are surfing on your phone.\u00a0 Additionally, try to record only key thoughts instead of typing\/writing everything so you can maintain eye contact with the mentee.\u00a0 It may be helpful to let him\/her know you are taking notes, e.g. \u201cYou may occasionally hear me typing on my keyboard or see me on my phone.\u00a0 I am just taking a few notes; I am not surfing the net.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Instead of setting up unrealistic expectations about the quality of meeting online, expect challenges and roll with them.\u00a0 Most adults today are quite used to online meetings and the challenges that accompany them.\u00a0 They will not be overly discouraged by a frozen camera or the need to repeat themselves occasionally when the internet connection is weak.\u00a0<\/p>\n At the end of each of the first few meetings, ask the mentee to share one or two ways that meeting online could be improved.[3]<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n