Guest commentator: Leone Jackson, Senior Community & Citizenship Program Specialist, Turner Construction Company @turner_talk
In the last memo, we discussed what to look for in a mentor, being open enough to receive feedback, and what a great mentor looks like. For this next memo, I would ask you to start by taking a moment to think of your favorite friend or colleague. How long have you worked with them? How did you first connect? Was it when you were new to the company? Ask yourself what you have learned from them on your journey – what have you taught them?
Now, hold that thought and consider this viral quote from actress, writer, and producer Issa Rae regarding ‘networking across’. Issa said “it really is about networking across, who is next to you? Who is struggling? Who is in the trenches with you? Who is just as hungry as you are?” The value in ‘networking across’ intentionally with someone who has the same drive, talent, and ambition will be monumental in your professional life. This is peer-to-peer mentorship.
Now let’s spend some time looking at peer-to-peer mentorship. A practice often underestimated, but one that can have a lasting impact on your mental, emotional, social, and professional wellness. You may have heard the saying “you are the company you keep” and in this instance it holds a heavy weight. The way we connect with peers has shifted, evolved, and in some cases dissipated due to how we’ve chosen or been forced to handle a global pandemic. It is believed that humans do not thrive well in isolation. With this, perhaps consider the ways you have connected with peers may have changed? Has your connection to peers ceased in any way?
Intentional peer-to-peer mentorship can work to kickstart or enhance our professional-social bonds. Now that you have someone in mind with similar or better work ethic, drive, ambition, and have considered how the pandemic has shifted the ways you connect today, ask yourself, when was the last time you connected with that person? Not small connections like “Hi, how are you?” as you cross paths in the office hallway. When was the last time you both had coffee or lunch to discuss work obstacles or triumphs which brought you to learn more about them? When was the last time you asked how they were feeling and sat to hear the answer? This is going to be a critical factor in how you embrace and value new people.
In further building upon part one of this memo series, to be open to different perspectives, you must connect with diverse and different people. Different perspectives are a byproduct of diversity. This different perspective will help to keep the solutions you build objective and rooted in wisdom. A lot of the growth that comes from this space will require you to look at how you process information, outcomes, yourself, and even the biases you may have. When you are in a room full of new people, what factors are you considering as you walk up to a person for the first time? We often place ourselves in situations where we must act and use the social skills that we have not trained or worked on, and that experience can dictate how we perceive new social environments. Pursuing peer-to-peer mentorship connections can alleviate the pressure of larger social environments. Reaching out to someone you have not connected with for a long time via LinkedIn, or asking the co-worker that you believe truly brings value to your team, for an out-of-work experience like getting coffee, can really set the tone for a great atmosphere and you will be able to learn from each other.
Think of something you do tremendously well, whether this is natural or something you’ve trained and worked hard on. Then think of someone in your friendship circle that does something extremely well that you might not. What would it mean to you to pick up a bit of their process? What if they struggle at the thing you are a master at? How would it feel for both of you to get better at those things? This is another way we build bridges, bonds, and rapport.
In summary, when you hear the word mentor, what do you think of immediately? It is okay if you think of someone much older and/or tenured. We are conditioned that way. The hope is that this second memo will help you consider that not only can you learn from someone very tenured in your industry, but also that you can learn from any of the people around you right now, today.
Truly understand that even on your learning journey, you bring value to organizations, friendships, and connections. Hone that value, enhance it, and be intentional when you connect with other individuals. It can create a truly engaging and positive environment. Above all else, recognize appreciate, and seek out what others bring to the table, and you will begin to see great results in your social and professional bonds. The benefits of intentional peer connection to learn and teach one another; peer mentorship, can have countless benefits on your entire life.
Leone Jackson is a member of the YPC Advisory Board.
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