This is the third in a second series of blog posts that will look at four personal strategies you can put in place to help you get over the barriers to women’s advancement in the workplace. The first series looked at the myths that act as barriers, as discussed in a workshop moderated by Deborah Gillis, Vice President, Catalyst Canada at our WiN-Canada Conference held in Ottawa on Feb. 27, 2008. Catalyst is the leading nonprofit corporate membership research and advisory organization working globally with businesses and the professions to build inclusive environments and expand opportunities for women and business.

Strategy #3 - Build a network of mentors and sponsors.

Why go it alone when there are others out there who are more than willing to help? I have yet to hear a story about someone being completely insulted by a request to act as a mentor. Most people are very flattered that someone felt they had something of value to offer and are more than happy to pass along information and share resources.

Once you have set your goals (Strategy 1) and started working on your self-promotion (Strategy 2) look around for people inside or outside your company who you could call on for advice, who could offer insights into your work environment and who could help introduce you to their professional networks.

A mentor could be a formal relationship set up and administered by your company or an informal relationship that you set up with someone who has qualities that you admire and need to work on to achieve your goals.

According to Catalyst a mentor or sponsor could wear many hats. 
1. A coach or advisor who helps clarify performance goals, development needs and offers feedback to improve performance.
2. A counselor who helps you understand the organization’s environment.
3. A role model who models the types of behaviors you may want to develop.
4. An advocate or champion who opens doors and introduces you to their network of professional contacts.

Why are mentors and sponsors important?
They help:
• Provide Performance feedback,
• Provide Cultural insight,
• Navigate the waters,
• Open up doors to new projects and opportunities,
• Offer advice on difficult situations,
• Build your reputation, and
• Build a foundation for the future.

Now go out there and look for opportunities to be mentored or to act as a mentor. Most mentors will tell you they get as much out of the mentor/mentee relationship as their mentee. Don’t be afraid to ask. You may be surprised how flattered your potential mentor is just to have been asked.

Look for formal mentoring opportunities through your companies and feel free to set up your own informal network of mentors and sponsors. There is no rule that suggests you can only have one mentor.

Share your success!

For more information on mentoring go back and read the Blog Post, How Important is it to Have a Mentor.

Add a comment on how a mentoring relationship has helped you either from the mentor or the mentee’s perspective. Join the conversation!