September 2011 - Irish American News

September 2011 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” 37Do You Have A Mentor?Throughout our lives, we havereceived guidance from “mentors,”such as teachers, coaches, bosses,business associates, and yes, evenparents. “Mentor” is defined as awise and trusted advisor.People who realize the importanceof attracting and keeping mentorsgreatly improve their odds of corporatesuccess. Their work lives arebolstered by the insight and politicalsavvy provided by mentors who havealready fought the “good” wars andhave learned from their scars. Severalyears ago a human resourcesconsultant made a statement thatstill resonates today: “In an environmentwhere companies are laying offpeople in droves, you don’t want togive them a reason to lay you off.”The corporate equivalents of bigbrothers/sisters-mentors can be aninvaluable resource. They can helpyou understand the inner workingsof your employer and provide constructivecriticism regarding yourmanagement style and decisionmaking. Many of our silly mistakescould have been avoided by enlistingthe help of more experiencedcolleagues.They’ve BeenAround For A Long TimeEstablishing a mentoring relationshipwith someone you respect andtrust isn’t a new concept. Accomplishedmen and women have historicallysought help from those who wereolder and wiser. Even such luminariesas Thomas Becket, Abraham Lincoln,and Louis Brandeis, stated in theirpersonal papers the importance ofsecuring the counsel of others whowere older and wiser.The ideal mentor should be severalyears older than the protégé. This istrue even when the protégé is a matureperson with years of experience. Onceyou reach a certain level of responsibility,your approach to delegatingand other on-the-job duties may needrefinement.Finding a mentor at a senior levelcan be difficult because likely mentorsare commonly busy people.Consider recently retired executives,board members, and former managerswho transferred to other divisions,etc. Never limit your search to justthe obvious candidates whom othermanagers may also be courting.At the beginning of your career,finding a mentor shouldn’t be a taxingchore. Identify older executives/managers whom you admire and havealready met, even if only casually.Strive to enlist the help of someonewith a strong reputation who appearsto be “on the move” or at least, appearsto be well respected in his or her currentposition.Should your mentor(s) be thesame gender as you? Is that wise?A woman manager operating in amale-dominated environment mightconsider selecting a male mentor, ifonly to send a signal that she belongsin the mainstream. Conversely, the reversemay be equally true. One shouldalways strive to understand the rulesof the work environment.If the younger employee lets theseasoned veteran know that his adviceis genuinely sought and appreciated,the veteran may accept a mentoringrole without any real formal commitment.Ideally, your mentor should workfor the same company as you, but thisisn’t mandatory. That’s no reason tosever your ties because your mentorchanges jobs. Sometimes distancewill allow your mentor to be evenmore valuable.If your prime mentor becomesunavailable to you, don’t hesitate infinding another. Ideally, you shouldalways have more than one mentor.Multiple mentors may provide youwith different approaches or rationaleson the same problem. You won’t insultone mentor by asking someone else toprovide guidance periodically. Neverplay one mentor off against another.Consider their advice independentlyweigh it carefully, and then select thestrategy that best suits your situation.Line Them Up NowUnless you have already had twoor three mentors, consider these stepswhen recruiting one.1. Prepare a list of likely candidates,including current and former colleagues.List everyone who might beeven remotely helpful. It’s okay if yourmentors know each other, but avoidpicking two mentors who are close,personal friends. You are looking fordiversity of opinion, not singularity.2. Sort through your list carefully.Reduce it to three or four candidates.This analysis will help you understandyour needs better. If you require guidancein dealing with your boss, choosesomeone who knows how your bossoperates. If a new duty causes youconcern, a specialist in that field, orat least someone who handled the jobin the past, is a good choice.3. Eliminate anyone who made yourlist strictly just for sentimental reasons.Your brother-in-law, the airline pilot,may be a terrific person with goodjudgment but how much does he knowabout construction, manufacturing,banking or whatever business youconduct?4. Meet your candidates. Tell eachthat you would appreciate seeing themfrom time to time for lunch, a gameof tennis or just a chat to discuss yourcareer. Provide them with a completehistory of your background. Help themunderstand your company’s culture.Complete this orientation before discussingany “real” problems you mayface and don’t contact them only whenproblems arise. Keep them posted onthe progress of your career, even whenall is well. Be intentional about keepingin touch.5. When you’re certain that someonewill offer valuable advice, tell himor her of your decision to considerthem as a part of your brain trust. Mostwill be flattered and more than willingto oblige.The primary reason people agreeto be mentors is the feeling that theiradvice is useful and will be valued.Once you demonstrate that you don’tconsider his advice helpful, the mentormay turn a cold shoulder withouthesitation. Now, go and find yourselftwo or three mentors. Carpe diem.James F. Fitzgerald is the presidentof James F. Fitzgerald & Associates,Inc., an Oakbrook, IL-based executivecoaching and career transitionfirm. Phone: 630-384-2204. Email:jamesffitz37@hotmail.com. Website:www.jamesffizgerald.com.Go Green at 16th Fox Valley Irish FestCelebrate all things Irish at FoxValley Irish Fest with new performersand familiar favorites, expanded Irishcuisine, toe-tapping championship Irishdance troupes and much more!The 16th Annual Fox Valley IrishFest, part of the Saint Catherine ofSiena Centennial Celebration, will beheld on Friday through Sunday, September9-11, 2011 on the grounds ofSt. Catherine of Siena Church, Routes31 and 72, in West Dundee, two milesnorth of I-90. Visit www.foxvalleyirishfest.comor call 847-426-2217.The Fox Valley Irish festival takesplace rain or shine; all events are outdoorsunder the main tent. Daily admissionis $10 on Friday and Saturday withhalf-price $5 admission on Sunday;a three-day pass is $20. Children 12and under are free with a paid adult.Admission for fun loving fest-goersage 65 and over is $8 on Friday andSaturday and $5 on Sunday. Fest hoursare: Friday 5-11pm, Saturday 1-11pm,and Sunday 12:30-7pm.Entertainment tapped for this year’sFox Valley Irish Fest includes: Brigid’sCross, The Fenians, The Whigmaleeries,Band of Rogues, The Larkin and MoranBrothers, Dyed in the Wool, Solid-Aire,Paddy Homan and the Chicago CelticBag Pipers.Enjoy three solid days of familyentertainment, fun, food, and shoppingat the Fox Valley Irish Festival inWest Dundee - one of the finest IrishFestivals in the Chicago area!For information and a full scheduleof entertainment, please visit www.foxvalleyirishfest.com or call 847-426-2217.