Page 8 - Connection Volume 1 Issue 2

8
Two Perspectives On Mentorship
POINTS OF VIEW
KRIS
BENNETT // SENIOR CONSULTANT III
How did Mike become your mentor?
At our previous company Mike always made it a a a a a a a a point to to get to to know each of his team personally and was always the first person person to to schedule for lunch or or or to to get a a a drink after work His genuine interest allowed us to quickly become friends I deeply believe the root of any good mentoring relationship is a a a solid friendship What has Mike offered you as as a a a mentor?
Mike has given me a a a perspective I would not have developed otherwise Mike’s challenge to to me has been to to really think about thingsfromtheclientperspective Hehastaughtmetheimportance of establishing critical success factors with a a a a a a a client at the very onset of a a a a a a project This means digging-in and finding out the changes that need to to be made in in in in in anorganizationtodelivertrueand lasting business value Seldom is is is it enough for us us to deliver only what is is is promised on on the SOW Being excellent means always going beyond and doing what it takes to ensure our clients are successful after we’re done What has made your mentorship relationship with Mike work?
Our mentorship relationship has been successful because of the genuine friendship that that preceded it it I believe that that having this kind of relationship with someone is paramount to to ensuring that the mentoree hears feedback and and constructive criticism as something something positive and and not something something to be taken personally How has mentorship been personally rewarding to to you?
I I have more fun at at work because of what I’ve learned from Mike This is is because he’s challenged me to think about things from outside the consultant’s viewpoint and doing such has improvedthequalityoftheworkI deliver and made me a a a a a hero to the the the clients I work with What could be more fun than that???
What have you you learned from having a a a a a a a a mentor that you you otherwise may not have learned?
So many things The value of setting expectations patience leadership humility continuously learning just to name a a a a few What advice would you give others about mentorship?
Find someone who’s good at the things you you aren’t and get to know them Onceyou’vefoundsomeone trust as as a a a a a a a a friend the the rest will come naturally and easily I’m also a a a a a a a a a a big believerinpayingitforward You can’t expect guidance and help fromothersifyou’renotoffering it it yourself All of of us have the the abilitytobeamentortosomeone as as well as as to to to to to be be someone someone else’s mentor - make sure you’re willing to to be be both Finally just be be likeable and don’t take things personally CONNECTIOn