As we launch this year’s mentoring scheme, we spoke to a few of the class of 2020 about their experiences. In this blog we interviewed a mentor and a mentee to get both perspectives on the value of mentoring.
Laura (mentee):
Why did you feel you needed a mentor?
As a Director at Hope&Glory, some may query why I’d need a mentor. I, like many women, have experienced a fair few setbacks along the way (babies and otherwise!), but I found that I came back from the last ‘time out’ with ambition in many ways which I wanted to discuss with someone who wasn’t a colleague or a friend, which is where a mentor like Ruth from the WIPR mentoring programme was a perfect solution.
What have been your biggest gains/learnings from being mentored?
In terms of gains; above all, Ruth has been an inspiration. I have welcomed taking time to simply learn and listen to her experience – from her career journey, through to her approach as an MD of multiple successful agencies, to her approach on day-to-day management of teams, reasoning behind decisions as well as being a busy mum.
Ruth is a confident leader, but she also drives confidence in those around her – including me – it is a huge compliment to her. I find that imposter syndrome and lack of confidence can take over at times and, sometimes, I need an outside voice to cheerlead me along the way.
In terms of learnings; it is very much an individual process but if sharing advice for others about to embark on this journey I’d say be realistic about what you want from your sessions; be honest, be ready to listen, to be challenged, and remember that mentoring it is a two-way relationship.
Are there changes you will be making to the way you work or your career plans as a result of being mentored?
I want to continue to learn and develop, to meet and be inspired by like-minded, driven women in PR. I also want to pass it on, and hope to mentor others in the years ahead.
I also gained a fantastic group of mentees that I look forward to continue getting to know and watching their brilliance thrive in the industry.
Do you have any advice for women look to apply to the 2021/22 mentoring scheme?
What is holding you back? It is a brilliant thing to do for you! It isn’t just a programme for those who are looking to move jobs; it is a relationship that can help you to grow and to learn both as a female PR professional. Your mentor is there as a fantastic sounding board; from a day-to-day query, or to talk through ambitious career plan, to helping you balance work and home life. You decide together what you hope to achieve from each session, and from the relationship as a whole.
More generally, do you have any insights from being mentored that could help other PR pros at a similar stage in their career to yourself?
Don’t think that because you are senior woman at the top you don’t need help or guidance; we are never too old to learn new ways of thinking and different approaches to work. A mentor can help you with all sorts, from thinking through something that is causing your stress, offering a second opinion on a decision and even to challenge your often ingrained way of thinking. I firmly believe it’s invaluable having a mentor at any age or step in your career.
Ruth (mentor):
Why did you want to be a mentor?
To be honest I was humbled to be considered but it works both ways as well, a true mentor/mentee partnership is where both parties can learn and grow whilst inspiring and helping the other. I have also had the pleasure of working with some truly inspirational mentors (in an unofficial sense) during my 20+ years in PR so I recognise the important role they can play. Additionally, I’m a massive champion of women in leadership roles and will always go out of my way to take down boundaries and open opportunities for women to grow in their careers and mentoring seemed like a fantastic enabler for this.
For those that haven’t received mentoring before can you explain how the sessions work?
People will come to a mentoring programme with different challenges that they want to explore and discuss but the fundamentals are the same. It is about a partnership built on trust. The mentee can expect to be heard and listened to and never judged. The mentee can also expect a sounding board to run ideas past or problem solve and explore new avenues for growth. The outcomes are varied and often personal depending on what the challenges are that the mentee is facing in their career but without doubt growth and transformation can often occur. It is a chance to get a fresh and experienced perspective which can enable and empower the individual.
Did you recognise the opportunities and challenges you covered with Laura from your own career experiences?
Of course. As a working parent in the same industry, it is hard not to share similar challenges when it comes to balancing careers and childcare. It is also helpful having someone who has navigated different agencies and working environments to shine a light on new perspectives around what opportunities may lay ahead and I hope I’ve been able to share some of this experience with Laura to inspire her and to build her confidence.
Do you think women need mentoring more than men?
We can all benefit from mentoring regardless of gender but women share similar challenges throughout their career which can mean that a mentoring scheme like this can be very powerful and important.
For applicants of this year’s mentoring scheme, how can they make their application stand out?
Honesty and ambition would stand out for me. Tell us what you want to achieve and also where you might be stuck or need help.
