Concluding our article from the last two weeks, here is the last of 15 Australian Business mentors explaining why they share their knowledge…
Those we mentor hold the future in their hands
Jan Pacas, Managing Director Hilti Australia
As a business leader, I believe that there’s a moral duty to give back and pass on my expertise; especially when I consider that I credit many of my professional achievements to the guidance and influence from my own mentors.
One of the most enjoyable parts of my job is watching young people develop their skills. Because Hilti is a global company, it’s incredibly satisfying and a sign of success when our talented Australian employees are exported overseas to take top level positions in Singapore, France and Hong Kong.
A strong business should judge their leaders on how well they can develop and groom their staff, as it’s these employees that hold the future success of the company in their hands.
I take as much from our interactions as I give; it is a great, fulfilling process
Anthony Woodward, Founder and CEO, Bulletproof
I have been offering advice and mentorship to Rob McAdam of Pure Hacking for a number of years, since before he started the business. Rob and I discuss business strategy but also work-life balance and the finer aspects of being a founder of a tech business in Australia. Having a business and a family is a challenge that not many people understand, so we have a lot in common. It can be hard for a person in a leadership position to reach out and ask for help – that takes true courage.
At the end of 2013, Rob was involved in a major car accident where a drunk driver collided with his car head-on. Rob was very lucky to survive the accident and was understandably in need of some mentoring and advice as to what to do next. I helped him see that he was in the very lucky position of being able to mould his role and involvement in his business around the lifestyle he wanted given limited mobility and wanting to treasure every moment with his family.
I have been amazed by Rob’s resilience as he has dealt with months in hospital and recovery, and he is now very much back in the business and loving it. While his mobility is permanently affected, his drive and passion for the business is as strong as ever. I take as much from our interactions as I give; it is a great, fulfilling process. Nothing makes me happier than seeing someone I know and have advised along the way enjoy great success.
The ability to have an open discussion in a trusted environment is important
Sheryle Moon, Chief Revenue Officer, eWAY
When Diana Forrester lost her home in the 2003 bushfires in ACT, it led her to question a lot about her work, her career and family. Diana’s resilience allowed her to rebuild the things she had lost and focus on new endeavours including board positions for local organisations.
The mentor/mentee relationship is a two-way street. I’ve gained from Diana’s expertise in marketing and her network of people with similar experience; and I’ve enjoyed her friendship and support over the past decade. The ability to have an open discussion in a trusted environment is important to both of us.
There are many steps to become a mortgage broker and they can be very confusing. If you are new to the industry and have no lending experience, then you will also need a mentor for 2 years. For clear steps and a mentor, look at our website.
Every manager should be a mentor, but this is often forgotten
Geoffrey Court, Head of People and Culture at Salmat
I have been mentoring colleagues for 30 years, since I first became a manager.
It’s something every manager should be doing – which unfortunately is often missed or forgotten about.
As well as ongoing mentoring of direct reports, I also mentor two colleagues in a formal capacity, once a month. While it is a coaching session it is more important to listen to the mentee. It certainly isn’t an ego-run initiative – it needs to be a trusted, proactive and sought out initiative from both parties.
The key to being a mentor is encouraging constructive behaviour and a sense of achievement from the mentee, which drives effective outcomes for the individual and ultimately the company. Every mentor gets a wonderful uplift from seeing someone take control of their life – someone who is determined to progress themselves.
It’s an absolute privilege to do
Dr Catriona Wallace, Founder of Flamingo
I mentor about 5 people, mainly women, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous. I do this because I am extremely interested in supporting women in navigating the business world. Initially I mentored people because it felt like the right thing to do – to give in some way – but then I realised I get a huge amount out of the mentoring relationship. For example, I mentor Carla McGrath from the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence and through our relationship I have developed a much deeper understanding of Indigenous people and organisations which I would not otherwise have – and Carla knows I have got her back whenever she needs. If there were more hours in a day I would mentor more people. It’s an absolute privilege to do.
To be a good mentor you have to understand the difference between mentor, business coach, life coach, sounding board and chose which role you take. Set goals and plans with and for the mentee, be available when they need you – not just in the allocated hour a month – connect the mentee with your network.
It is the social responsibility of the person with experience and knowledge to share that with others starting a business.
Renata Cooper, CEO of Forming Circles
Having come to Australia as a migrant with $20 in my pocket more than two decades ago, I worked my way through different roles from secretarial to equities trader and now, an entrepreneur and investor. I launched Forming Circles, a social and ethical investment organisation, in 2011, with a dream to help other start-ups (particularly women) achieve their dream – through funding, investment, grants and mentorship.
I was looking for insights, knowledge and personal stories of success to guide me. I knew others would be looking for similar guidance too and started sharing my knowledge with the wider community.
I believe it is the social responsibility of the person with experience and knowledge to share that with others starting a business or in need of being mentored. It is my great pleasure to see the businesses and its owners prosper as a result of a valuable advice and the opportunities created through Forming Circles initiatives such as the annual Kickstart Your Business Grant and Full Circle Mentoring programs.
Each year, we receive hundreds of applications from start-ups across Australia for the Grant – interested in the mentorship offered, just as much as the cash. This reiterates the fact that beyond money, small businesses have a deep thirst for knowledge and guidance.