Mentoring and Networking

I was recently presenting at a conference and discussing mentoring and networking. To set the scene, it was a room full of inspiring, industry passionate women who wanted to excel in their career and had come to listen to multiple industry speakers in Melbourne. I was asked to present on support services within the industry and discussed how networking in general is a great support to any professional – find your own tribe! The conversation was leaning to mentoring and how the support of a great mentor can improve/enhance your career.

However after a couple of questions it became abundantly clear that we may be missing the point with these topics altogether. It is clear that a ‘one size fits all’ approach to mentoring and networking is not working and we are missing out on those who COULD excel, but are afraid or often unable to reach out. I will respond to the questions that were put to me as I believe it impacts all of us– not just those in the room that one day in Melbourne.

1.      What should you do if walking into a room of strangers to ‘network’ scares the life out of you?

For someone like myself, I love walking into an engaged and excited room of strangers and finding out about their stories. I love to hear stories and achievements of others and think I can learn so much of others – but that is also a huge part my personality. Others find it daunting and will not sign up to the event or the meet up in fear of the strangers and awkward conversations (trust me they can be awkward)…

To be fair, I never had thought about it because it is not a situation I have ever found myself in. My response to anyone though is not all networking has to be done face to face. I strongly believe this. LinkedIn is a business- and employment-oriented social networking service. The key word there: NETWORKING – done online, in your pyjama’s from the comfort of your own home. I recently told a colleague that LinkedIn was like the little black book of business cards and business connections. Further to that I said “Ask yourself – if someone offered you a business card would you turn it down or kindly accept and stash it away?” for a day that you need to chat to that connection? LinkedIn is no different, and the level of interaction is up to you.

You do not have to walk into the room of strangers, but if you connect well on LinkedIn and engage with people online, the more you can utilise your network. Some of my best connections I have never met face to face yet value their input online.

2.      We keep hearing mentoring is vital to advance our career but have no idea where to start!

I said to the group, hands up if you keep hearing the statement that mentors are what will ‘make’ your career and over 90% of the room put their hand up. I then said, keep your hands up if you have no idea how to get a mentor or where to start? The same hands stayed up.

This really concerned me! We had an engaged room of professionals from different industries desperately wanting ‘a mentor’ because they ‘heard’ it will advance their career but have no clue what to do about it. When we have a diversity issue in the board room, maybe it is no surprise when we have great females with no one helping to get them there. We hear there is the issue but we are not helping others get there – otherwise this mentoring business would not be so ‘scary’!

Every second article we read on careers mentions mentoring and asking some accomplished CEO’s what helped them succeed – MENTORS. So we know it is important but we don’t know what to do about it.

I briefly touched on the paid programs that follow one structured program, however not everyone has the luxury of extra cash to advance their career. I then talked about the importance of asking the question. I never dreamed my current mentor would say yes, but I pulled my socks up, asked outright and was struck with a huge yes and calendar dates locked in. My biggest learning in my career to date is unless you are prepared to put your hand up and ask for help, you wont get the help. Yet the flip side, once you ask for help, there are SO many people willing to help you.  Connect with people online who do inspire you, or you want to know more about and even if you don’t end up formally being mentored, they may offer you some great bits of career advice. Do not be afraid to ask!

Another take away of the day was to consider if there was someone in your business possibly looking for a mentor and you could offer your time/expertise to them? Have you asked? Quite often we miss the signs that we ourselves would be a great mentor and it is letting others know you are open to the conversations.

Needless to say, I walked away from the conference with new thoughts buzzing through my brain as to how I can further help people who may not feel comfortable walking into Women in Safety events (if you are one of them, please reach out to me – let’s chat). I want everyone to be afforded the option of a great network – we need our tribe and we must be able to feel supported. I also want us all to feel lifted by a mentor or coach as they can really help in your personal and professional life. No elite athlete goes without a coach and/or mentor to help them advance and break through barriers, so why should we in our professional career?

To my mentor, informal coaches, my sounding boards – I applaud you.

If this resonates with you, or you have some thoughts, I would love to hear about it!

Alanna

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