C Level Diversity...
I really like my job. I work in the customer service department of a major telecommunications company. It’s actually my first full-time job after finishing school back in January. I’m a first generation college grad and quite honestly the first person in my entire family to have a job outside of assembly or manual labor. So I come from very humble beginnings to put it mildly. I’ve been selected to attend a 6 week Leaders of Tomorrow workshop at work and our first assignment is to identify someone within the senior leadership team we would like to have as a mentor to support us during the workshop and throughout our career with the company. Now the closest thing I’ve ever had to any kind of mentoring in my life so far has come from my mom or someone I consider close in my family like an aunt or uncle. The problem I’m having with trying to choose a mentor is that there’s no one on the SL list that looks like me… ethnically. I fear being able to successfully make a connection with someone who can’t relate to my cultural, economic, and spiritual background. I’m not questioning their well intentioned hearts, professionalism, lack of wisdom, or sincere interest in seeing me succeed. It’s more of a comfort level and familiarity preference for me in emotionally vulnerable situations. Could be I’m not fully understanding what the mentoring dynamic in a professional workplace environment truly is. Am I looking into this too deep? Any suggestions?
I just want to compliment you on your flawless writing. SO rare these days, grads included! Keep up the good work.
Well, how about looking for your SLs on GooGle or Facebook, See what positions they take on social issues, maybe you can find someone with commonality~ Good Luck and Congratulations on your selection!
Nate, you have excelled by stepping out on faith, doing your homework and maintaining an intelligent reserve from anyone giving you advice. I am sure this pattern happened in all your school experiences. Stop and think of those patterns that were successful and unsuccessful, learn from your past experience, don't think you don't have the tools to discern quality of character and talent. Being strong in your culture, its' spiritual background and the economics of your life are a strong foundation to move forward. The only thing that your new environment offers as a mentor is experience which is what you want to learn. Don't feel you need to have similarities, learn from them, if they are wise mentors and guides they will learn from you. Each has something to offer and both will be the richer for it. The key is never be afraid to express your concern when something offered doesn't meld with your values and question for more information when you truly don't understand their statements or intentions.Believe me you are already an 'EQUAL' or you would not be there. Someone saw potential, now just eat from the table that they put before you and don't forget your table manners of 'please and thank you'. Best to you and your future. I already know that you are a success.(a 77 year old, who has been there)
Nate, when I started in business there were very few people who looked like me because I was a woman and most of them were not. Most people I worked with were men, older than me. I stopped looking for differences and starting looking for similarities. I started looking for the qualities I admired. In the end I had many mentors who taught me how they stayed ethical in a cut throat world, how to balance a family and business, and, how to deal with high stress situations without batting an eye. Of course, I eventually met a totally kick-ass woman mentor. She walked into my office one day and announced that she had started out her career in the same position I was in. What drew her to me, though, were the qualities I had learned from the men around me. Remember, we are all just souls in a wrapping of flesh. This puts us all on the same playing field.
Nate !! .. I can appreciate your reluctance as I was in a similar situation at the start of my Human Resources career. I think you must give all the potential mentors the benefit of the doubt. There is no formula that will guarantee a cordial and productive relationship between yourself and your newly selected mentor. I would suggest that you do all you can to make a positive work related impression on your mentor. Show respect, listen closely, ask questions when you don't clearly understand, and verbally thank him/her for agreeing to be his mentor. If you exhibit a strong interest in the particulars of the job responsibilities and demonstrate your appreciation, I believe you will find that things will turn out better than you had anticipated. In short, give your mentor a reason to believe in you. If you show that you believe in him/her, it is highly likely that they will reciprocate in a like manner. I wish you the very best experience in the Mentor/Mente relationship.
Hey Nate,
At the end of the day, people are just people. As a matter of fact, if you look close enough you will notice mannerisms, laughs, for example, and personality quirks that are universal or remind you of your family members and friends. I would just ease off with regard to anxiety, and see the greater picture. As a person whose traveled abroad and, as a result, was pretty much forced to adapt to a totally unfamiliar cultural environment, I learned pretty quickly that, again, people are just people; so, in the end, gauge the people in your work environment per 'sameness' versus difference and with that perspective, you will know who your mentor should be.
Best,
Woodraille ~
'It is amazing what you can accomplish when it does not matter who gets the credit.' Harry S. Truman ~
Hey Nate congrats! The work environment in the USA can be daunting. The overall quality of a mentor should be friendliness and approachable with a little used quality of actually listening. Many folks like to lord over and be the loudest, look for the quiet confident type. They're usually the ones who "get things done ".
Hello Nate, Yes, I believe you are "over thinking" the whole dynamics of business mentoring. The mentoring process at your job is to help you in times of decision making regarding your position. Regarding customer service issues, and your future successes. So, if I were you, I would study the communication personalities of each of these people that you have to choose from. Clearly, I would pick someone who feels I am a good worker, and fells that I have developed a good working relationship with customer I speak to via phone or in person. Pick a mentor who has befriended you and has the personality whom you feel comfortable with. You can tell when someone is "rooting" for you. Pick the leadership mentor who you will be able to communication with and be at ease with. Don't forget in all walks of life, there are people we are drawn to and those who we kinda stay away from. In our working relationships as well as our personal relationships we all tend to search for those people who will "left" us up, those who believe in us. So, remember, what, listen and observe, and pick that person who "hits" that positive chord within you. Don't overthink it, just open your mind and your heart, and I am sure you will pick the mentoring Leader who is right for you. And don't forget, don't pick someone that perhaps your friend is gonna pick, unless of course they are also right for you. Be a Leader..... Not a Follower! Good Luck!
Nate, I think you should be very proud of what you have done. First of all there is a problem with CEO's and mentors of color and other issues. However I think that your attitude is part of the problem. You are looking for someone similar to you. The most gained is to experience other points of view. Should you choose a mentor based on similar color you are then thought of as a racist because you have not chose the best mentor only one that is similar to you. You can't learn from someone that has the exact same issues that you have. They can teach you how they dealt with it but big deal. Now you have 2 people that can work the system. Learning how the others view you and the job will allow you to become a true mentor for all. Think about this post and what you are truly asking for. wally
You're going to learn to become a fighter! Nate, you're a man! Someday, you'll be a married man with responsibilities to deliver. Get out of that C-MENTALITY into the A-ZONE! CONQUEROR your fears like Alexander the great addressed his best fighters prior to any of his historical conquests. Sorry to break it out to you, but the market place is like Jurassic Park with all kinds of dinosaurs, but with knowledge and patience the counter to greater skill and of course with God on your side, you'll beat the odds. But please start by reading some self-motivational books. Darren Hardy is good, there's lots of confidence coaches out there on Amazon. Get your kindle downloaded and veraciously attack that low-self-esteem. You won't last a day in a competitive work place without high self-esteem. Your call!