How can you network and find mentors in the field of employee wellness and diversity and inclusion?

Identifying your goals and interests is an important step when networking and finding mentors in the field of employee wellness and diversity and inclusion. Start by reflecting on your personal and professional goals in the field of employee wellness and diversity and inclusion. Consider your strengths, weaknesses, passions, and areas you want to grow in.

Think of your goals as a lighthouse, guiding you through the networking sea. Knowing what you want to achieve will help you connect with the right people: ***Clarify Your Objectives: Are you looking to deepen your knowledge, gain career insights, or find collaboration opportunities? Define your aspirations clearly. ***Pinpoint Your Passions: Within employee wellness and diversity and inclusion, identify the specific areas that ignite your passion. Whether it’s mental health advocacy, inclusive hiring practices, or wellness program design, having a clear focus will make your networking efforts more targeted.

I began my career as a fitness professional at a manufacturing plant. After a few years, I realized that I needed to address my skill gap in health promotion programming. I began collaborating with other associates with that background. I offered to help them with their health improvement programs and became involved in their initiatives. Developing those skills helped my career growth!

Start by attending industry conferences, seminars, and workshops focused on your company's top priorities regarding employee wellness. Engage with speakers, panelists, and fellow attendees to exchange ideas and build connections. Additionally, join relevant professional associations and online communities where you can connect with like-minded individuals and access valuable resources and mentorship opportunities. Additionally, invite the speakers to your organization to provide an experience for leadership team and meet in person. Also, don't be shy to check out their website for free resources to gain a better understanding on their mentorship style and expertise.

Every individual you encounter holds a unique thread of experience and knowledge. To find mentors and contacts who resonate with your mission, dive into the rich resources available online and within your own network. Think of this as seeking the hidden pathways through the forest, each marked by the stories of those who walked before you. Engage with their narratives, understand their challenges and victories, and let these insights illuminate your path forward. Here is how you can do this - 1) Explore LinkedIn: Find professionals in your field. 2) Join webinars: Connect with industry leaders. 3) Participate in forums: Engage in relevant discussions. 4) Attend conferences: Meet mentors in person.

Reaching out to potential mentors or networking contacts always involves a personalized approach. Whether sending an email or a LinkedIn message, I make sure to mention specific aspects of their work that resonate with me or questions about their experiences that I genuinely want insights on. My efforts are never sales-based and always with honest intentions. I'm in the business of people and I want to connect with everyone on a personal, human level. Building these relationships is a step-by-step process, requiring patience and consistent engagement, like commenting on their posts or sharing relevant articles. Demonstrate mutual value and respect, and you're on your way.

Everyone is connected to everyone by the six degrees of separation. If you are looking for someone specific to work with or be of resource someone in your network probably knows someone. Reach out to your network, post posts, go on forums, and open up the conversations if someone knows someone who would be willing to help.

When seeking a mentor, leverage your network by reaching out to mutual connections - the more people you reach out to the higher likelihood someone will be open to a conversation. If that's not possible, craft personalized outreach to your top 20 choices, articulating sincerely why you believe YOU would be a valuable mentee. I know many people who found their mentors off of a simple LinkedIn dm!

Keep in mind that your potential mentor probably has a very full schedule. If you are trying to book a personal meeting, be very specific about how long you would like to meet and prepare your questions in advance.

Start by making a contribution to their posts. Like, comment and start conversations within the public domain on their posts. Build on your relationship and add value before you ask for anything in return. Once you have done this you can curate a personalised message, referencing your recent interactions and how you would value their mentorship. Take into account that these people will no doubt be extremely busy and unlikely to commit to anything long term, so have a backup option, maybe settle for a 30min zoom call to run an idea by them or ask them some questions. Start small and your relationship will build and you can both benefit from the networking.

Participate in conferences, seminars, workshops, and webinars focused on employee wellness and diversity and inclusion. These events offer opportunities to meet professionals in the field.

Go to in person events of your current clients. You'll find other people/sponsors at those events like yourself and you can find people who've been at this longer than you do great.

Seek out formal mentoring programs offered by professional associations, universities, or organisations focused on employee wellness and diversity and inclusion. These programs pair mentees with experienced professionals who can provide guidance, support, and career advice.

An important lesson I've learned is the power of vulnerability in networking and mentorship. Being open about what you don't know, the challenges you're facing, and where you need help can lead to deeper connections and more meaningful advice. Additionally, diversity in your network and mentors can provide a broader range of perspectives and solutions, enriching your understanding and approach to employee wellness, diversity, and inclusion. And never underestimate the impact of expressing gratitude towards those who offer their time and insights. A simple thank you can go a long way in maintaining strong professional relationships.