PAL sessions are designed to be a structured yet flexible space for growth, reflection, and planning. To keep them effective, we recommend keeping sessions to 30 minutes weekly. This ensures timely feedback and prevents long gaps where issues might go unaddressed.

These sessions work best when mentees take ownership by preparing a brief agenda or discussion points beforehand. This keeps conversations focused and allows the PAL to gather any necessary resources in advance. A proactive approach from both sides maximises the value of the sessions.

Each session should follow a three-part breakdown, with brief opening and closing moments:

Reflection (30%)

Begin by assessing where the mentee is at, both professionally and personally. A simple question like, “How are you doing on a scale of 1-10?” can open up important discussions. Follow up by exploring why they chose that number and what could help them improve by just one point.

This stage is also the time to check in on previous action points, assess progress on KPIs, and reflect on successes and challenges. Acknowledge achievements and help the mentee recognise areas for improvement. Some useful prompts include:

• “What achievements are you most proud of since our last meeting?”

• “What challenges did you face, and how did you approach them?”

• “What’s one lesson you’ve learned recently that you’d like to explore more?”

Development (30%)

This segment is about skill enhancement, problem-solving, and career growth. It’s a chance to dive into specific areas the mentee wants to improve, provide feedback, or tackle real-time challenges together. Encourage mentees to think critically about their skill gaps and how to bridge them. Key questions include:

• “What skills are you looking to improve right now?”

• “Where do you feel stuck, and how can we work through that?”

• “What resources or strategies could help you overcome this challenge?”

Planning (30%)

The final part of the session is about setting actionable goals. Align objectives with KPIs and career development while ensuring clarity on next steps. Review ongoing projects, address blockers, and refine accountability actions. Closing questions to consider:

• “What are your top three priorities before our next session?”

• “How do these align with your KPIs?”

• “What challenges might you face, and how can you prepare for them?”

• “What support do you need from me or others?”

Closing

Before wrapping up, document agreed–upon actions for follow-up. It’s also important to seek feedback on the session itself. Rather than asking generically, “Do you have any feedback for me?” – which can lead to vague responses – frame it around specific aspects of the session:

• “Was my guidance during your recent project handoff helpful?”

• “Is there anything I could do differently to make our sessions more productive?”

• “Was my approach during the last code review clear and constructive?”

By encouraging honest feedback, you reinforce a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.

Remember, we have a big Question bank to help you out also!

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Approaching your PAL session as a mentee

Your sessions are a valuable opportunity to take charge of your growth. These are your moments to reflect, develop skills, and set clear goals. You are responsible for making the most of them, so approach each session with intention and preparation.

Effective PAL sessions start with preparation. Take time to reflect on what you've been working on, challenges you've faced, and areas where you'd like support. This could be technical guidance, career advice, or feedback on collaboration. Having a clear idea of what you want to discuss ensures productive conversations.

Give your PAL a heads-up. It doesn’t have to be a formal agenda, but sending a quick Slack message 48 hours before the session about key discussion points will help them come prepared with insights and resources.

Reflection

Start by discussing your progress. What have you achieved since the last session? What obstacles have you encountered? Transparency helps your PAL provide meaningful guidance. For example, “I wrapped up the API integration but struggled with the auth flow. I tried X and Y approaches but didn’t get the expected results.” Being open about successes and challenges builds trust and makes the session more productive.

Development

Next, focus on learning and problem–solving. This could involve discussing feedback on your work, tackling a technical challenge, or exploring career strategies. Bringing specific topics to the table ensures targeted and useful discussions. If you’re unsure where to start, consider asking, “I’d appreciate your take on my recent code review feedback, especially around performance optimisation.”

Action

Close the session by setting concrete next steps. Ensure your goals align with your KPIs and are framed using the SMART method, these can be especially relevant for small goals you’re looking to achieve ahead of the next session. Instead of something loose such as “Improve my testing skills,” set a measurable goal like, “Write and merge 10 unit tests for Project X by next Friday.” This keeps progress tangible and trackable, and ideally will link to your KPIs.

After the session

Great sessions don’t end when the meeting does. Take a few minutes afterward to summarise key takeaways and action items. A quick message to your PAL keeps both of you aligned and reinforces accountability.

Make time for follow–through. Even dedicating 20 minutes a week to your goals can make a significant impact. Keep a running document to track progress, which will be useful for future sessions and performance reviews.

Owning your journey

Ultimately, PAL sessions are about your development. The more you invest – by preparing, reflecting, and taking action –the more you’ll gain. Your PAL is there to support you, but you're in the driver’s seat.

Mentorship is a partnership – PAL means Personal Accountability Link – that means it goes both way. Lead your growth, embrace feedback, and use your PAL as a sounding board for success. Vamos-la!