This photo was taken today in 2012 at the LMA conference when my dear friend and mentor Wendy Bernero was inducted into the hall of fame.
Wendy is a true leader and advocate for women. She’s the smartest and kindest person I know. She always believed in me and pushed me to become a better version of myself. I’m so lucky to have her in my life.
I believe everyone needs a mentor— whether you are junior or senior. Sometimes you will have several people in your life who help guide you, and if you don’t, seek one out. Mentors are great sounding boards and provide valuable guidance. Also offer to be a mentor to others if you can – helping each other is the most important thing we can do right now.
The research on the power of mentorship is clear: People with mentors perform better, advance in their careers faster and even experience more work-life satisfaction. And mentors benefit too.
So how do you find a mentor? According to the Harvard Business Review, “mentors can be from anywhere. They can be from your LinkedIn network, professional connections, or people you’ve met at conferences. It’s important to remember that while people are certainly busy, being asked to be a mentor is a massive compliment. People might say no, but it will be a positive exchange and you shouldn’t be shy about thinking big and making the asks, even if you think there is no way the person can find time for you. Let them be the judge of that.”
Please also thank your mentor and appreciate them, especially when they go above and beyond for you. Wendy is incredibly busy, and I am so grateful she makes the time for me while balancing her job as global Chief Marketing Officer of Baker McKenzie and being a wife and mom of two teenagers.
(Also I am actually a brunette as you will all soon find out during this quarantine).
So who can you mentor? And how can you thank your mentors? Don’t wait to do it, especially with the way the world is now.