A Mentorship Experience Worth Sharing

“You guys make the final decision, but I’m not sure she is quite ready for this position. I would reconsider another candidate.” I’d like to suggest those are the famous last words of industry veteran, CompTIA board member, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and my mentor (need I go on), Mike Brogan. But that discussion was about me and frankly, that’d be far too egotistical and millennial of me ─ check out the 

CompTIA Generational study to see what I mean.

It was 2010. I was a new mom coming off maternity leave, had been through six required, but redundant interviews with the male-dominant executive team, and was officially being offered a director level marketing position. With a steady start to my career, building my portfolio, I had a mortgage and a family to think about. So I made the jump.

My first day on the job presented me with a desk directly across from the very man who wasn’t quite sold on the idea that I was the perfect candidate; capable but not perfect. He was also the President and CEO, so my boss.

My first meeting with Mike was a pleasant one. We discussed marketing plans for the remainder of the year, which included thousands of dollars we had just earned via MDF. Those of you familiar with MDF know that while it’s lucrative at times, the process is not easy.

“What are your plans for the $10,000?” Mike asked. Mind you, I’d been on board for just a week, had never worked in the channel and wasn’t sure I could even recite their tagline yet (millennial thinking: #intimidation). After responding with my proposed plan, I was sent on my way with words of encouragement and an open door invitation if needed. That, my friends, was the beginning of a career-changing relationship also known as a professional mentorship.

The responsibility and trust empowered me. Mike’s support and encouragement inspired me and knowing that my work mattered left me wanting to do more and work harder.

Value in the Details

As I’ve become more vocal in the channel, many colleagues have asked me how I got started and what my biggest influence was. My standard response? My mentor, Mike Brogan. A two-minute conversation quickly turns into 30. A common theme I’ve found in those discussions is that a mentorship is one-directional. Describing that point in a language most social media participants will understand: #thisisalie.

The formality of our mentorship was never discussed (I wish I could say it’s always that easy). We simply found a mutual-benefit in growing together as business professionals. At the same time Mike was helping foster my career, I was helping him grow his business.

The question I posed before writing this blog was whether or not mentorships are worth it.  My answer is ABSOLUTELY, and here’s why:

1. They are one way to help bridge the generational-divide in the multi-generational workplace.
2. If done correctly they are mutually-beneficial (much like my experience).
3. Mentorships stimulate accountability and encourage employees to perform at “rock star-level.”

Here’s what I think you should know when it comes to mentorships:

1. The best mentorships happen naturally.You don’t have to define them if you don’t want to. I was working hand-in-hand with Mike for 3 ½ years before openly calling him my mentor (and I was proud to do so).
2. Mentorships are a dialogue not a monologue, and the effort required outside your daily schedule is minimal.
3. They happen from the top-down. By simply inviting a talented young professional to listen at the table you are promoting the opportunity for mentorships.

I’ve been fortunate to have worked with Mike…and for him. As Chair of the CompTIA Future Leaders Community, I can confidently say we’re working to dissolve any stigma around the value of a mentorship and showcase how simple it can really be. I hope the summary of my own, personal mentorship experience inspires others to get involved in mentorships of their own. Young professionals, embrace it; tenured colleagues, recognize it. 

If you’re interested in more actionable items (especially specific to my mentorships) that have proven successful for me, I’ll be happy to share. The Future Leaders Community will also be working on some exciting initiatives around mentorships. If you’re interested in joining our discussions, simply register here and we’ll send you the details.