Mentoring Walk

Purpose

The Mentoring Walk moves the traditional mentoring conversation outdoors. Walking side by side reduces the formality of face-to-face meetings, promotes psychological safety, and stimulates creative thinking through movement and changing scenery.

At a glance

How to run

1. Pre-walk agreement (5 min): Before setting off, agree on one topic or question the mentee wants to explore. Set the walking route (a loop is ideal so timing is natural).
2. Walking conversation (25 min): The mentor listens first, then asks coaching-style questions. The physical movement creates natural pauses. Let silence happen.
3. Reflection pause (5 min): At a midpoint or towards the end, stop briefly. The mentee summarises: What is clearer now? What remains fuzzy?
4. Close & commit (5 min): Back at the starting point, the mentee states one action they will take before the next session.

Materials needed

• Comfortable walking shoes
• A planned route (15–20 minute loop)
• Optional: a small notebook for the mentee
• Weather-appropriate clothing

Pitfalls & common mistakes

• Walking too fast: Match the mentee’s pace. The conversation, not the exercise, is the point.
• No topic focus: Without a pre-agreed topic, walks become pleasant but unfocused chats.
• Mentor talks too much: The mentee should speak 60–70% of the time.
• Skipping the action step: Without a commitment, the walk is just a walk.

Inclusion & accessibility

• Offer an alternative for participants with mobility limitations (e.g., a seated outdoor conversation).
• Choose accessible routes (paved, flat, no stairs).
• In bad weather, consider a "walk" through a large indoor space (museum, shopping centre atrium).
• Be mindful of safety — choose well-lit, familiar routes.

Variations

• Reverse mentoring walk: The junior person mentors the senior on a topic where they have more expertise (e.g., technology, social media).
• Group mentoring walk: 3–4 people walk together, taking turns in the mentee role.
• Nature immersion: Choose a nature trail to add the benefits of green space to the conversation.

When NOT to use this

• When the topic requires documents, whiteboards, or visual aids.
• When weather or environment makes walking impractical or unsafe.
• When the mentoring relationship is brand new and a more structured, seated format is needed for initial rapport.

Source & further reading

• Nilofer Merchant, "Sitting Is the Smoking of Our Generation" (Harvard Business Review, 2013)
• Lois Zachary, *The Mentor’s Guide* (Jossey-Bass, 2012)
• Clayton Christensen, *How Will You Measure Your Life?* (HarperBusiness, 2012)