Snack 23: How to Be a Mentee They’ll Want to Root For

Written By Erin Diehl
 
 
 

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In today’s snack-sized dose of Workday Playdate, Erin’s flipping the mentorship script and serving up a strategy that’ll make your mentor want to shout your name from the rooftops. Spoiler: It’s not about being the smartest in the room. It’s about showing up with intention. 

The Problem: 

We all say mentorship matters, but too often mentees treat it like a vending machine: insert question, get answer, disappear. That’s not how real relationships (or career growth) happen. The truth? Mentees who bring energy, curiosity, and follow-through are the ones who win every time. 

The Improv Hack to Try: The Callback Technique 

Ready to become a mentee your mentor brags about? Start here: 

Call. Back. Something. 

The next time you meet, reference a tip or insight your mentor gave you and share what you did with it. Show you were listening and taking action. This tiny move builds massive trust and shows you're not just in it for advice, you’re in it for growth. 

Why it works: Improv callbacks create connection and continuity, and the same is true in mentorship. When you “call back” something from a past interaction, you’re not just remembering, you’re reinforcing. This keeps mentors invested and mentees unforgettable. 

Wednesday Tease: Episode 300: “You Found a Mentor—Now Here’s How to Keep the Relationship Thriving.” 

Your next step? Don’t miss this milestone episode! Erin goes deep on how to nurture the mentorship beyond the first coffee, with more improv-inspired tips to keep the momentum going. Because mentorship is a relationship, not a transaction. 

Feeling stretched thin but still trying to “stay positive”? Grab our free Positivity Without Pretending Toolkit. It’s a quick, honest reset for people leaders who want to show up without faking it. In five minutes or less, you’ll reframe, refuel, and lead with heart (even when you're running on fumes). Download it now and take the pressure off.

No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting) 

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Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! 

 
Erin Diehl
Next

Episode 299: Want to Nail Employee Engagement? Here’s What Actually Works (No Gimmicks Needed) with Dr. Angela Jackson