Getting Started with Networking

2. Getting Started with Networking Breakout Session #618 Sponsored by the NCMA Women’s Forum Po Collins, CPCM, C.P.M., Fellow 20 July 2010 4:00-5:15 pm 1

3. Agenda History What Is a Mentor? Why Have a Mentor? Why Be a Mentor? What Do Mentors Do? How to Choose a Mentor How to Be a Good Mentor/Mentee Ground Rules & Guidelines Build a Mentoring Culture

4. History Mentoring in the Workplace Traditionally an informal practice The Original Mentor is Based in Mythology A character in Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey. Athena, the goddess of wisdom, was the first mentor. In the Odyssey she took on the form of a man named Mentor in order to give Odysseus, King of Ithaca, advice. When Odysseus went to fight in the Trojan War, he entrusted the care of his kingdom to Mentor. Mentor served as the teacher and overseer of Odysseus’ son, Telemachus. Even nowadays, men have been the traditional mentors

5. What Is a Mentor? Merriam-Webster: "a trusted counselor or guide." The Anesthesiology Department of Cleveland’s MetroHealth System: "a wise, loyal advisor or coach." Mentoring refers to a developmental relationship between a more experienced mentor and a less experienced partner, or mentee. The mentee relies on the mentor’s guidance to gain skills, perspective and experience. A mentor is an individual, usually older, always more experienced, who helps and guides another individual’s development. This guidance is not done for personal gain.

6. Do You Need a Mentor? You’re in a meeting, and it’s your opportunity to shine in front of your company leaders. You begin to speak, but someone else cuts you off and takes the discussion down a different path. You offer a suggestion during a team meeting. No one comments. Later in the meeting, another person offers the same suggestion. This time everyone embraces it as a great idea. You’re been working at a certain level for a few years, and have received great reviews. A position at the next level opens up in another city, but the company fills it without asking about your interest. They assume you wouldn’t want to relocate.

7. Why Have a Mentor? A mentor can help you to get your career off to a solid start. A mentor may be better able to predict where your career is heading. A good mentor can be a valuable career resource who helps: Tilt the scales in favor of growing a successful career through improved performance / productivity Increase your confidence and well being Identify a range of career opportunities that may lead to jobs you had not considered. Improve your knowledge & skills

8. Why Have a Mentor? Mentors have put aside self-focus to foster the growth of new professionals. Mentors help develop the insight that assists with integrating professional life, personal concerns and core values. A good mentor will challenge you, inspire you, and demand that you do your best.

9. What Will You Gain? Specific, practical information about your profession: Entry requirements Opportunities for advancement Employment outlook. Characteristics for success Important issues facing the profession Personal rewards Sources of frustration.

10. What Will You Gain? Real-life information: Potential career fields Personal contacts with working professionals Interviewing experience in a non-threatening atmosphere. Most importantly, mentors can relate a personal account of their own career path.

11. Why Be a Mentor? Mentoring Is a Strategic Business Imperative Knowledge also comes with experience. Each person brings different knowledge to the organization. Each generation brings something different and valuable to the organization. 76 million Baby Boomers represent a great deal of knowledge, talent, and experience. They like collaborative learning & working in teams You will have the satisfaction of having done an important job. Mentoring fosters a supportive business environment.

12. What Do Mentors Do? Set high performance expectations Offer challenging ideas Help build self-confidence Encourage professional behavior Offer friendship Listen to personal problems Confront negative attitudes & behaviors Teach/lead by example Provide growth experiences Offer quotable quotes

13. What Do Mentors Do? Share critical knowledge Explain how the company/employer works Coach Counsel Stand by their mentees in critical situations Encourage winning behavior Enhance self-awareness Inspire Offer encouragement Assist with their mentee's career

14. What Do Mentors Do? Guide you. Offer constructive ideas about how you might do things differently. Help you develop goals and strategies to overcome problems. Help you see other ways of doing things. Give advice (if you are not interested in listening don’t waste a mentor’s time). Volunteer their time (so listen -- don’t argue).

15. How to Choose a Mentor List your top goals for the mentoring relationship. Make sure you are willing to take direction from a mentor. Consider what type of mentor you need: In your profession or another profession In your company or a different company Same or different background Same or different gender

16. How to Choose a Mentor Men and women mentors fill different needs. “Women get caught in a nasty bind with the notion they need some guy to be their mentor. Finding wise people whose judgment you trust, as opposed to looking for hierarchical mentoring, should be your focus.” Geraldine Laybourne Founder, Chair, and CEO Oxygen Media

17. How to Choose a Mentor Consider compatibility: Is the person encouraging? Does the person provide feedback? Can you communicate with the person? Do you respect the person? Choosing a friend as your mentor is not a good idea. Save friends for networking

18. How to Choose a Mentor Brainstorm a list of prospective mentors. Select the top candidates who are aligned with your goals. Call to set appointment. Prepare a short list of questions regarding your current situation. Meet with them. Ask them about their history, current situation, & goals. State your goals and ask your questions.

19. How to Choose a Mentor Brainstorm prospective mentors, continued If you like their responses, ask, "I appreciate your input on this, and I'd greatly value it on an ongoing basis. Would you be willing to meet with me next month to follow up on what we've discussed today?" Send a thank-you note. Take action on their suggestions. Call to discuss the results of those actions and request a second appointment. Propose a mentoring relationship.

20. Where to Find a Mentor Professional associations Look for volunteer leaders Community groups Chamber of Commerce Service organizations Your employer Company leaders Formal mentoring programs Networking events Speed mentoring

21. Where to Find a Mentor Find mentors in different places. “Sometimes when young women say there are no role models in their business, I tell them that I think they should look wherever they can, because you can learn excellence even from a distance.” Lulu Wang Partner and CEO Tupelo Capital Management

22. Characteristics of a Mentor Role Model Teacher Supporter Resource Communicator Listener Patient

23. How to Be a Good Mentor Keep your appointments with your mentee Be willing to share experiences Work collaboratively Stay organized and focused Be approachable Don’t intimidate

24. Habits of Ineffective Mentors Decide when & where you’ll meet, and what you’ll discuss, because you know best. Remember that you know infinitely more than your mentee. Remind your mentee how much he has to learn. Do most of the talking. Take your mentee to task when she doesn’t follow your advice.

25. Habits of Ineffective Mentors Don’t ask what your mentee expects from you. How would he know anyway? Remind your mentee how fortunate she is to have your attention. Your time is valuable. You know what’s best for your mentee – don’t let him forget it! Discourage levity/humor. Mentoring is serious business. Never, never admit that this could be a learning experience for you, too.

26. How to Be a Good Mentee Keep your appointments with your mentor Be prepared to share experiences, & discuss issues you’ve encountered. Work collaboratively Stay organized and focused Be willing to take direction. Listen effectively. Be loyal and supportive.

27. Mentoring Ground Rules Agree on how often & how long you’ll meet Example: Monthly, for 60-90 minutes / session Ensure the meeting location & time works for you both. Agree to an ethical code of practice. Decide whether you’ll sign a formal mentoring agreement. Set expectations Decide how you’ll know when the mentoring relationship has served its purpose.

28. Agreement Guidelines Date: Name of Mentor: Review Date: Name of Mentee: Mentor Signature & Date: Mentee Signature & Date:

29. Build a Mentoring Culture Share mentoring results Offer speed mentoring to match mentors with mentees Reward employees for being mentors Don’t put up road blocks Offer workshops on how to mentor effectively Enable knowledge transfer & knowledge sharing

30. Build a Mentoring Culture “Think of what’s stored in an 80- or 90-year-old mind. Just marvel at it. You’ve got to get out this information, this knowledge, because you’ve got something to pass on. There’ll be nobody like you ever again. Make the most of every molecule you’ve got as long as you’ve got a second to go.” Studs Terkel Author

31. Mentoring in Real Life Examples from the real world

32. Wrap-Up Questions?