What made you decide to become a mentor on the IOIC mentoring programme?
Now I am very old (!) I've learnt from some fab leaders and communicators along the way, so mentoring felt like a chance to give something back in the same way – outside my current company. Internal Comms sometimes feels like a conceptual profession to navigate, and I get energy from helping someone think through their challenges, build confidence and accelerate their development.
What did you hope to offer or gain from mentoring?
I wanted to be an experienced sounding board, to challenge thinking, share some lessons learned and help connect day-to-day communications decisions to broader business outcomes. And do this in a world not connected to mine. My mentee works in the travel industry – so a complete change – but lots of the same challenges I faced earlier in my career.
For me, mentoring was always going to be a two-way exchange. I wanted to understand different perspectives, learn about challenges in other organisations and stay connected to how our profession is evolving.
Tell us a bit about your mentee and how the relationship worked in practice.
We were quite freeflow. I am quite a structured person – but every month we went with what was relevant at the time. My mentee was looking to grow their confidence, influence and strategic thinking as an internal communicator. Sometimes we'd work through immediate challenges, while at other times we'd step back and discuss longer-term career development, leadership and the role communications can play in driving business outcomes. Very agile – and was effective.
What's one moment or piece of progress from your mentee that's stayed with you?
The biggest thing for me was seeing their confidence grow over time. There was a noticeable shift from seeking reassurance on decisions to backing their own judgement and thinking more strategically about the advice they were giving. Watching someone start to recognise the value they bring is super rewarding. I hope I’ve given them a few tips they will hang onto for a long time.
How has mentoring helped your own skills, perspective or career?
Mentoring has reinforced the importance of listening, working through challenges with others, looking for advice outside your own circle. It’s been lovely being connected to someone earlier in their career.
Would you recommend becoming a mentor to others, and why?
Yes absolutely. It's a very rewarding form of professional development because both of you learn from the relationship. You can support someone's growth while also reflecting on your own experiences, assumptions and leadership style. If you're willing to listen, challenge constructively and learn alongside your mentee, you'll get a huge amount from the experience. I really looked forward to and enjoyed the time I spent with them and will be here for advice in the future too.
