What is mentorship and how does it differ from other forms of support?

As a Project Director, Subject Matter Expert, and Mentor, I am a firm believer in the power of mentoring. It is something that has personally benefited me both in my personal and professional life, and I am passionate about sharing this knowledge with others.

Mentoring is a unique relationship that involves a more experienced individual sharing their knowledge and expertise with a less experienced individual to help them develop their skills and achieve their goals. Mentoring can occur in various contexts, including personal development, career development, and project management.

Before delving deeper into mentoring, it is essential to clarify the difference between training, facilitating, coaching, and mentoring. These terms are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. A trainer provides content to participants on a specific topic, while a facilitator guides individuals and groups towards a common goal. A coach helps coachees use their resources more effectively, and a mentor shares their knowledge and experience to guide and support mentees.

Mentoring is a two-way relationship that involves both parties learning and growing. The mentee benefits from the mentor’s experience, advice, and feedback, while the mentor gains satisfaction from helping others develop their skills and achieve their goals. Mentoring is an effective way to share knowledge, transfer skills, and create a positive impact on the mentee’s personal and professional life.

My own experience with mentoring began when I started a new job after my apprenticeship, and I was fortunate to have a mentor who was a doctor from the ETH Zurich, one of the highest-ranked universities in the technical field globally. Despite the significant gap between us, my mentor pushed me to design and engineer, first through trial and error and then systematically. With his guidance and support, I was able to complete a product used in the cable railway in the Swiss mountains, even though it was a new topic in universities at the time.

Having a mentor who believed in me was crucial to my success, and it is something that I believe is essential for anyone looking to succeed in their field. With the emergence of new technologies and changes in project management methodologies, the role of mentoring in project management has become more important than ever.

The role of mentorship in remote and hybrid project management

Mentoring can play a vital role in remote and hybrid Project Management, which has become increasingly prevalent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With remote work becoming the new normal, team members may feel isolated or disconnected, which can negatively impact their productivity and morale. Having a mentor can provide valuable support and guidance to team members, helping them develop the skills and competencies required for successful remote project management.

Business transformation and the importance of mentorship in Project Management

In addition to this, business transformation is an essential aspect of Project Management, and companies must adapt to changing market conditions and new technologies to stay ahead of the competition. A mentor can provide valuable insights and guidance on how to navigate these changes and drive successful business transformation. They can share their experience, best practices, and industry knowledge to help the mentee develop a strategic perspective and become a better project manager.

How to promote mentorship in Project Management?