Mentoring Matters
Passion, education, ambition, goals, achievements, promotions, and development are all elements of the paths we take to achieve our dreams in life, career, and family. Those achievements do not come without challenges, especially for women.
In March, as we celebrated Women’s History Month, we recognized the great strides that have been made to bring us where we are today. We also acknowledged that there is still a long way to go to reach the top.
As we strive for leadership positions, according to WomenInTheWorkplace, the playing field remains uneven when it comes to women’s placement in upper management positions. While still frustrating, there are things women can do to make the journey easier.
Betsy Fischer Martin started as an intern for the late Tim Russert, American television journalist, lawyer and former Senior VP at NBC News. She explained that Tim Russert took her under his wing and was an integral factor as she moved through her career and earned the position of Executive Producer of “Meet The Press.”
Alyse Nelson, CEO and co-founder of Vital Voices Global Partnership, stated during an interview for Fortune.com Magazine, “In my own experience, mentoring has been one of the most effective ways to tear down the mental limitations that we all put up from time to time.”
The impressive level of their success inspires and motivates many. Both women share that their success was greatly impacted by their relationship with mentors throughout their careers.
Mentoring is a vital part of a successful career for both the mentor and the mentee. The interest, focus, and efforts for women specifically supporting other women are growing. For the last three years, BizWomen has hosted Mentoring Monday across the country in 43 cities on the same day. This year, in Chicago, scores of women attended the event to meet 40 mentors in a speed-coaching format. The variety of backgrounds and experiences of mentors and mentees generated some powerful conversations and delivered concrete actions for growth for the mentees.
Navigating towards a great mentor takes a bit of time and know-how. Here are some guidelines to help you get started.
What Should You Look For in A Mentor?
Complimentary personalities
Aligned values and beliefs
Similar ambition levels regarding career, life, and family
Respect for each other
Experience in the field or in a similar skill set that compliments your career
Collaborative, helpful approach; not demeaning, lecturing
Honest, constructive
What Are the Recommended Steps to Obtaining a Mentor?
Identify and document the results you seek.
Interview a few people whom you respect and admire.
Find the alignments and the areas that complement each other, as you want her/him to have strengths that compliment your challenges.
Ask if s/he would like to be your mentor.
When they say yes, explain your needs, goal settings, and timeframes.
How Do You Know When Mentoring is Working?
Simply stated, “When you hear the voice of your mentor in your head and it becomes your own.”
– Ellen Sherberg, Mentoring Monday, The Difference a Mentor Makes.
The advice is producing forward movement and changes within you for the betterment of your career and to reach your goals.
Constructive criticism hurts a little and drives you forward, outside of your comfort zone.
To achieve all that you desire requires support from the right people. As Indra Nooyi, CEO of Pepsico says, “ If I hadn’t had mentors, I wouldn’t be here today. I’m a product of great mentoring, great coaching… Coaches or mentors are very important.” If you don’t currently have a mentor, go out and find one and if you’re an experienced leader, look for someone to support and advise. Don’t try to succeed on your own; it’s much more fun and results-oriented to have people help guide you on your journey. If you don’t know where to start building your support team give me a shout; with my 35 years of business experience, I’ll be happy to guide you.