EXECUTIVE INSIGHT
Q . WHAT WERE THE QUALITIES THAT YOU LOOKED FOR IN A MENTOR ?
» VK : Honestly , I sought a sponsor , not just a mentor . James , a conscious sponsor , approaches our time together with a keen awareness . As the Director of Corporate Engagement at Catalyst , a global DEI think tank , my work delves into the intricacies of this field . Catalyst ' s research asserts that while mentoring is vital , sponsorship , especially for BIPOC women , is the game-changer . Mentors guide , but sponsors go further and advocate with influence and power , propelling career growth for their mentees .
ECG : Someone who works directly in sustainability . I wanted to be able to ask questions and have a genuine conversation with someone in a subject or field I am interested in . I ’ ve allowed my specific interest for the work to guide me rather than having something ( a position , promotion ) be the north star . CLD : Someone who is passionate about making the world a better place , starting with where they are with an understanding that small actions have ripple effects . After that , I was looking for someone with experience and expertise in sustainability who is transparent , listens and provides feedback , shares thoughts and opinions respectfully , encourages and challenges me . Most importantly , I was looking for a champion who would have a good understanding of me as a professional and truly invest their time and effort in my leadership growth and development rather than just being a guide in my career journey .
Q . EXPLAIN SOME OF THE KEY THINGS YOU ’ VE GAINED THROUGH MENTORSHIP THAT YOU OTHERWISE WOULDN ’ T HAVE LEARNED ( OR OPPORTUNITIES YOU WOULDN ’ T HAVE RECEIVED )?
» ECG : I enjoy the community of women plus James that we ’ ve built . It gives me joy when I hear Victoria and Cynthia thriving in their own chosen paths . It also helps me pause and reflect on my own experiences and sheds new light on situations where I would have reacted differently . In James , I feel that I always have a wise sounding board which is maybe a rarity and difficult to come across in this field .
CLD : The two biggest takeaways from our mentorship journey have been the community we ’ ve created and leadership growth . Our little community provides the opportunity for a safe space to share
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