Mentorship typically requires a significant investment of time and effort from both the mentor and mentee.

How about a mentorship session that is short (between 6 to 10 mins) and focused (a single question or topic)?

Micro-mentorship can be either giving or seeking advice in much shorter interactions than a normal lengthy conversation. It is a time-bound session on a specific contextual advice/question.

As a mentee, I can use this session to consult with my mentor on some question. I can get insights in what they think about the topic and maybe get them to share their experience.

As a mentor, this is an act of paying it forward. A short engagement helps providing the right information without taking up time.

• [?] How can I ensure that I engage my mentor effectively?
  • Ask specific and better questions.
  • Practice active listening.
  • Express gratitude for their time and advice.
• [?] As a mentor, how can I ensure that I don’t wind up as an on-call expert whenever someone has a query?
  • Be clear on expectations (availability and preferred communication channels).
  • Provide value to the mentee.
  • Offer resources (others, books) as needed.
  • Show genuine interest in their growth.
  • Practice active listening.