As a program manager, you’re facing a challenge. What can a mentor do to help you overcome it?

1 What is a mentor?

A mentor is someone who has more experience, knowledge, or expertise than you in a specific area of program management. They can offer you guidance, feedback, support, and advice based on their own insights and lessons learned. A mentor can be a senior colleague, a former boss, a professional contact, or even someone outside your industry or organization. The key is to find someone who you trust, respect, and can learn from.

2 How to find a mentor?

Finding a mentor is not always easy, but there are some steps you can take to increase your chances of finding a suitable one. First, identify your goals and needs as a program manager. What are the skills, competencies, or knowledge gaps that you want to improve? What are the challenges that you are facing or anticipate to face? What are the outcomes that you want to achieve? Second, research potential mentors who have the qualifications, experience, or reputation that match your goals and needs. You can look within your organization, network, or industry, or use online platforms, forums, or communities that connect mentors and mentees. Third, reach out to your potential mentors with a clear and concise message. Explain who you are, what you do, why you are interested in them as a mentor, and what you hope to gain from the relationship. Be respectful, polite, and professional. Don't be discouraged if some of them decline or don't respond. Keep trying until you find someone who agrees to be your mentor.

3 How to work with a mentor?

Working with a mentor is a collaborative and ongoing process that requires both parties to invest time, effort, and commitment. To do so effectively, it is essential to establish clear expectations and boundaries. Have a discussion with your mentor regarding what you want to achieve, how often you want to communicate, what mode of communication you prefer, and what kind of feedback you need. Additionally, remember to respect your mentor's availability, confidentiality, and feedback style. Prior to each meeting or conversation with your mentor, prepare an agenda or topics that you want to discuss. Reflect on your progress, challenges, and achievements since the last session. Have specific examples or scenarios that illustrate your points. Be ready to listen and act on your mentor's suggestions. After each session, thank your mentor for their time and input. Summarize the key takeaways and action steps that you agreed on. Implement them as soon as possible and report back to your mentor on the results. Seek feedback on your performance and improvement. Show your mentor that you value their guidance and appreciate their support.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?