When I was in government I was fortunate enough to have a
manager who did just that. She saw my
potential long before I did and as a result would give me stretch opportunities
so I could learn new skills and develop my leadership skills.
I’ve blogged about formal mentorship programs before and
from my personal experience they haven’t always worked that well, much because
of the matching, or lack of thought given on who would connect and work well
together. It seemed more a superficial
linkage based on skill sets the mentee required.
I have even participated in an online mentoring program
through which I was matched with a young university student in United Arab
Emirates which was an interesting experience where I think I learned more than
she did!
Over the years I have also mentored several women and each
time I have chosen them. There was some
chemistry between us from the get-go and I’d seen their potential and wanted to
help them get ahead.
That’s why I am so excited about the mentoring program
Company of Women will be starting in January.
This past week I met up with Laurie Hunt, who has facilitated numerous
mentoring programs, and who, I am thrilled to announce will be heading up our
program.
Right from the very start we plan to capitalize on the
synergy between the women when we do the matching. In addition to an application form through
which the women have to indicate their goals and what help they need, we are
hosting a “mingle and match” event so everyone gets to meet and from there the
“matching” begins.
The goal is that the mentors and mentees “meet” once a
month, which can be done in person, over the phone, on Skype – whichever works
best for the couple. Touching base once
or twice by email is also encouraged.
There will be webinars and other learning opportunities, as well as
group face-to-face meetings during the year.
Being an entrepreneur is a solo occupation and it can be
challenging to find someone who will give you impartial advice, be a sounding
board and who will lend their wisdom and expertise with you. Having a mentor means you have someone in
your corner. How cool is that.
This fall Laurie will be speaking at each of the chapters to
talk more about your existing network and the mentoring program, what it is … and what it isn’t. Like anything else, you only get out of it,
what you put in. We are also looking for
mentors and if you would be interested in taking on this role, contact us.
