You want to build a successful mentorship relationship in IT Strategy. What are the key steps to follow?
Mentorship is a valuable way to learn new skills, gain insights, and advance your career in IT strategy. But how do you find and cultivate a successful mentorship relationship? Here are some key steps to follow.
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Wendy J. Betts ✔ CISSP, CCSPSenior Information Security leader with deep experience delivering cybersecurity and digital risk implementations…
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Nantha Ram RCyber Security Leader (Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Retail) at Dyson | Ex-3M | Ex-TVS Group| IT & OT Cyber Security…
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Jesús San Segundo, PhDChief Information Officer | Top Voice LinkedIn Strategy, Technology & Innovation | Artificial Intelligence |…
Before you look for a mentor, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and how a mentor can help you. Do you want to improve your technical skills, learn best practices, or explore new career opportunities? Write down your specific goals and the areas you want to develop. This will help you narrow down your search and communicate your expectations to potential mentors.
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Wendy J. Betts ✔ CISSP, CCSP
Senior Information Security leader with deep experience delivering cybersecurity and digital risk implementations, processes and solutions for leading companies.
In my experience this is the most important aspect. I have been a mentor to many people in my career, and the most frustrating part of being a mentor is when the mentee doesn’t have a goal in the relationship. The mentor spends a lot of time telling me what they are really great at doing, which I don’t mind some background, but then they never tell me what I can do to help them. In addition, a mentee may also want to think about how they can help their mentor. In the mentor mentee relationship it is a two way street, where they should be helping each other.
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Nantha Ram R
Cyber Security Leader (Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Retail) at Dyson | Ex-3M | Ex-TVS Group| IT & OT Cyber Security Architect | Risk Management | Cyber Security Leader | Mentor
To build a successful mentorship relationship in IT Strategy, follow these key steps: • Define goals and objectives. • Find the right mentor/mentee. • Establish communication guidelines. • Set clear expectations. • Develop a mentorship plan. • Engage in active learning. • Monitor progress and adjust. • Celebrate achievements. • Provide networking opportunities. • Reflect and provide closure.
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Jesús San Segundo, PhD
Chief Information Officer | Top Voice LinkedIn Strategy, Technology & Innovation | Artificial Intelligence | Cybersecurity | Digital Transformation | Industry 5.0 | Board member | Pharma | x SAP x IBM x Banco Santander
I'd start by clearly articulating what you hope to achieve through the mentorship, such as acquiring specific skills, gaining insights into industry trends, or developing strategic thinking capabilities. By having a clear understanding of your objectives, you can select a mentor whose expertise and experience align with your aspirations, ensuring that the mentorship is both relevant and impactful. This clarity also enables you to communicate your expectations effectively to your mentor, laying the foundation for a focused and productive relationship.
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Djallal BOUABDALLAH
Founder at Parole à l'Expert | Specializing in Digital Transformation and Cyber Security
As a mentee, start by clarifying what you hope to achieve through the mentorship. This could range from gaining insights into IT Strategy trends to developing specific skills or navigating career paths. Clear goals help guide the selection of a mentor and shape the focus of your interactions.
There are many ways to find a mentor in IT strategy, such as online platforms, professional networks, events, or referrals. Look for someone who has the experience, knowledge, and skills you want to learn, and who shares your values and vision. You can also consider having more than one mentor for different aspects of your development. Reach out to potential mentors with a polite and personalized message, explaining why you are interested in their mentorship and what you hope to gain from it.
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Jesús San Segundo, PhD
Chief Information Officer | Top Voice LinkedIn Strategy, Technology & Innovation | Artificial Intelligence | Cybersecurity | Digital Transformation | Industry 5.0 | Board member | Pharma | x SAP x IBM x Banco Santander
Start by identifying professionals whose career paths, achievements, or contributions to the field align with your goals. You can look within your own professional network, attend industry conferences, or utilize social media and professional platforms like LinkedIn to find potential mentors. Once you've identified potential mentors, evaluate their willingness to share knowledge, their communication style, and their availability to ensure they can provide the guidance and support you need.
Once you have found a mentor who agrees to work with you, you need to set some ground rules and expectations for the relationship. Discuss how often and how long you will meet, what mode of communication you will use, what topics you will cover, and what feedback you will provide. You also need to clarify the roles and responsibilities of each party, and how you will measure your progress and success. Having a clear and mutual agreement will help you avoid misunderstandings and conflicts, and ensure a productive and rewarding mentorship.
To make the most of your mentorship sessions, you need to prepare in advance. Review your goals and progress, identify your challenges and questions, and do some research on the topics you want to discuss. You can also send your mentor an agenda or a summary of what you want to cover before each session, so they can prepare as well. During the session, be respectful, attentive, and open-minded. Listen to your mentor's advice, ask for clarification, and share your opinions and experiences.
The ultimate goal of mentorship is to help you grow and improve in IT strategy, so you need to apply what you learn from your mentor to your own projects and tasks. After each session, review your notes and action items, and work on them as soon as possible. You can also update your mentor on your progress and achievements, and ask for feedback or support if needed. By putting your learning into practice, you will demonstrate your commitment and appreciation, and enhance your skills and performance.
A mentorship relationship is not a one-time transaction, but a long-term partnership that requires mutual trust and respect. To maintain a healthy and positive relationship, you need to communicate regularly, show gratitude, and respect your mentor's time and boundaries. You can also look for ways to add value to your mentor, such as sharing relevant resources, offering your expertise, or connecting them with other professionals. By nurturing the relationship, you will build a strong rapport and a lasting bond with your mentor.
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Djallal BOUABDALLAH
Founder at Parole à l'Expert | Specializing in Digital Transformation and Cyber Security
Mentorship is a two-way street. Consider what you can offer your mentor, whether it’s fresh perspectives, knowledge in a particular area, or networking opportunities. Additionally, be open to reverse mentoring, where you might mentor your mentor in areas where you have more experience, such as new technologies or methodologies in IT Strategy. By following these steps, you can build a fruitful mentorship relationship that not only accelerates your growth in IT Strategy but also enriches your professional network and personal development.
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