Those aiming for leadership positions can benefit from the experience of those who went before them, writes Executive Head of Member Experience Karin Lanigan.
Mentoring is certainly not a new concept; however, it is one that has been receiving increased attention in recent years within the Chartered community. The benefits of mentoring are acknowledged, and these benefits were resoundingly highlighted during a recent panel discussion event for members was hosted by the Ulster Society: “Leading with Purpose”, during which leadership and the important role of mentoring to its development were discussed.
Joining me on this panel were Jackie Henry MBE – UK Managing Partner of People and Purpose, Deloitte, Sir David Sterling KCB – retired Head of Northern Ireland Civil Servant and current Non-Executive Director of various boards and trusts, Tracey McCaig – Chief Operating Officer, Department of Health’s Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG), Beth Lyttle – Chartered Accountant at Northern Ireland Audit Office, and it was chaired by Jo Scott – Broadcaster with BBC NI.
"The hindsight of a mentor can provide invaluable foresight"
During the lively discussion, it was agreed that being in a leadership role can sometimes be a lonely place. In this situation, the benefits of having a mentor can really come to the fore. Being able to reach out and leverage the lived experiences, advice, insights and support of a mentor can help you deal more effectively with challenges, career pivots and generally enhance your career trajectory. It was also noted that mentors are not only a useful resource during the big moments, but they are also a helpful sounding board for day-to-day aspects of your career and life dilemmas. There is significant merit in gaining support and advice from someone who is more experienced and has most likely lived through similar situations. In other words, the hindsight of a mentor can provide invaluable foresight.
Among the panelists , the consensus was that selecting or being matched with the most appropriate mentor for you personally is essential in forming this dynamic and collaborative relationship. There must be a connection and chemistry there which is then underpinned by trust, confidentiality, respect and open communication. We reminded the audience that a mentoring relationship can be formal or informal and it’s definitely not the case that one size that fits all. We also pointed out that both parties shouldn’t be prescriptive in terms of the duration of the relationship as they can tend to naturally run their course.
Confidence-building and moving out of your comfort zone
Developing a relationship with your mentor is an investment in your career and personal development, particularly if you want to accelerate your career and take on more senior roles and lead with purpose. Leadership doesn’t happen in isolation. With the backing and support of a mentor you can develop your leadership skills more effectively and build your self-confidence.
Our panel openly outlined how they have all had their challenges with the ‘impostor syndrome’ where they doubted their abilities and were riddled with a lack of self-confidence. On these occasions having a mentor to reach out to for support, compassion, advice and new perspectives was transformational.
To truly benefit from a mentoring relationship, you as the mentee need to be willing to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. In other words, you need to be prepared to push yourself outside your comfort zone, accept feedback and push boundaries. When you get to this point, the benefits of mentoring can be truly experienced and enjoyed.
In terms of practicalities, scheduling your mentoring meetings at a time that works for you is essential to their success. You need to set aside time where you can focus on the conversations and have adequate time to plan what you want to achieve from the engagement with your mentor. Taking this approach is only fair to the mentor too who has given their time to support you.
Overall, mentoring was highlighted as a valuable support system, helping members and aspiring leaders to overcome challenges, build confidence, and accelerate career growth by leveraging the experience and advice of more seasoned professionals.
Learn more about mentoring
For any members who are interested in offering their time to an aspiring Chartered leader, or members seeking a mentor, me and my colleagues in the Institute’s careers and recruitment service would be delighted to talk to you.
You can learn more about the service here.
- Karin Lanigan is the Institute's Executive Head of Member Experience. She has also managed the Career and Recrutiment Service. Karin holds a Masters in Personal and Management Coaching from UCC
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