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Mentoring as Transformation



I wrapped up another iteration of my mentoring course with UW-Madison Continuing Studies a few weeks ago. After teaching this course twice, my insights have deepened. Some highlights of the excellent conversations with participants in “Mentoring to Foster Inclusivity, Connection, and Engagement at Work," a course that is now offered bi-annually:


·     We can learn to be great mentors, even if (as is the case for so many of us), we don’t feel that we had a lot of mentoring at pivotal points in our careers. We can be the people we wish we’d had in our corner.


·     Mentoring for inclusivity is not about creating a “mini me” or replicating the status quo cultures of organizations. It’s about two-way learning opportunities, listening, humility, advocacy, recognition of the leadership strengths of under-represented groups, empowerment. It’s about promoting opportunities for emerging leaders who can bring original ideas and transform workplace cultures.


·    Mentoring is a set of leadership skills. When we highlight this, we challenge assumptions about leadership. Leadership training so often focuses on the “task orientation” piece of leading, and the work of making the “tough decisions.” Important for sure, but it’s the cultivation of relationship orientation, and related skills, that make exceptional leaders. Mentorship and sponsorship skills are key components.


·     Mentoring can be promoted, incentivized, and celebrated by organizations in lots of different ways. Some participants were in the process of building mentoring programs in their workplaces. These included multi-level (e.g. subject matter expert mentors as well as VP-level mentors) and multi-career stage mentoring systems (e.g. not just mentoring for onboarding, but also mentoring for new-to-leadership team leaders.) There’s a lot of inspiring work going on as we consider how to help grow, learn from, and retain younger generations in the workplace.


This course will be offered again in early 2025. If you’re interested, stay tuned and mark your calendars for Jan. 29 and Feb. 5 next year.


--Photo credit: Suzanne D. Williams

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