Mentoring: A Personal Perspective
From Human Resources to Executive Speakers, Mentorship Program Looks at the Full Spectrum
I am involved in a formal mentoring program for women at my workplace both as a mentor and a mentee. I find this program rewarding on a personal level as well as beneficial to leadership development within the company. I have made meaningful connections through this program and developed lifelong friendships.
The mentoring cycle runs from February through November. Substantively, the program includes events, education, and structured mentorship opportunities. In order to participate in the program, members are required to submit an application to become a mentor, to request a mentor, or to be both a mentor and a mentee. Each participant completes a profile and enters information in a Mentoring Match Tool which considers various criteria to create personalized matches based on the participants’ goals and interests. Mentees are able to select a mentor from a few possible matches through the Mentoring Match Tool, which sends an automated request to the mentor. The mentor then reviews their requests and accepts a mentee or mentees. Participants can elect to have a one-to-one relationship or a group relationship. Mentors and mentees in a group relationship may also have one-on-one meetings, if they choose. Mentors are limited to accepting five mentees.
The program provides orientation sessions for both mentors and mentees. Participants exchange “Meet Me” slides sharing pictures, interests, and hobbies. The first few sessions consist of introductions and getting to know each other. The mentors and mentees mutually establish ground rules of confidentiality and agree to provide/accept honest feedback. They create action plans focused on specific goals and developmental needs of the mentee. The participants establish a timeframe for meetings and set clear expectations for the relationship. Periodic evaluations are built into the action plan.
Participants also execute a Mentoring Commitment Agreement and use a Goal Setting Template to set goals for the mentoring relationship for the year.
The program provides Mentoring Milestones which are available to all members. Mentors only are invited to Mentoring Roundtables, which include suggestions for crafting discussions and activities with their mentees. Mentoring activities include guest speakers on business acumen, including lectures on OneNote, Excel pivot tables, how to conduct WebEx presentations, and public speaking. Mentors provide introductions to leaders in other areas of the company so that mentees can gain a greater understanding of other lines of business and new opportunities while having valuable interactions with leaders and executives.
Finally, the organization hosts an Executive Speaker Series throughout the year on topics of interest to the group. There are Fireside Chats with business leaders sharing their career experiences. Meetings are held amongst members to discuss Harvard Business Review articles. By sharing values, contributions, and experiences, the program improves women’s leadership and development in an individual and collective manner.
The mentoring cycle runs from February through November. Substantively, the program includes events, education, and structured mentorship opportunities. In order to participate in the program, members are required to submit an application to become a mentor, to request a mentor, or to be both a mentor and a mentee. Each participant completes a profile and enters information in a Mentoring Match Tool which considers various criteria to create personalized matches based on the participants’ goals and interests. Mentees are able to select a mentor from a few possible matches through the Mentoring Match Tool, which sends an automated request to the mentor. The mentor then reviews their requests and accepts a mentee or mentees. Participants can elect to have a one-to-one relationship or a group relationship. Mentors and mentees in a group relationship may also have one-on-one meetings, if they choose. Mentors are limited to accepting five mentees.
The program provides orientation sessions for both mentors and mentees. Participants exchange “Meet Me” slides sharing pictures, interests, and hobbies. The first few sessions consist of introductions and getting to know each other. The mentors and mentees mutually establish ground rules of confidentiality and agree to provide/accept honest feedback. They create action plans focused on specific goals and developmental needs of the mentee. The participants establish a timeframe for meetings and set clear expectations for the relationship. Periodic evaluations are built into the action plan.
Participants also execute a Mentoring Commitment Agreement and use a Goal Setting Template to set goals for the mentoring relationship for the year.
The program provides Mentoring Milestones which are available to all members. Mentors only are invited to Mentoring Roundtables, which include suggestions for crafting discussions and activities with their mentees. Mentoring activities include guest speakers on business acumen, including lectures on OneNote, Excel pivot tables, how to conduct WebEx presentations, and public speaking. Mentors provide introductions to leaders in other areas of the company so that mentees can gain a greater understanding of other lines of business and new opportunities while having valuable interactions with leaders and executives.
The program also sponsors lectures from Human Resource experts sharing their tips for resume writing, interviewing, and networking opportunities. Participants have the opportunity to get a resume makeover by a human resource professional. Chosen
The program also sponsors lectures from Human Resource experts sharing their tips for resume writing, interviewing, and networking opportunities. Participants have the opportunity to get a resume makeover by a human resource professional. Chosen participants have their resumes presented via WebEx for an invaluable group exercise discussing potential changes and best practices.Finally, the organization hosts an Executive Speaker Series throughout the year on topics of interest to the group. There are Fireside Chats with business leaders sharing their career experiences. Meetings are held amongst members to discuss Harvard Business Review articles. By sharing values, contributions, and experiences, the program improves women’s leadership and development in an individual and collective manner.