Staying Connected During A Pandemic – A Mentor and Mentee Journey
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Staying Connected During A Pandemic – A Mentor and Mentee Journey
By: Stephen E. Peeler, CFRE, FCEP - Former Executive Director, Infectious Diseases Society of America Foundation, and Lura Bobbitt, Process Improvement Professional and Aspiring Organizational Development/Design Leader, NextUp
As a member of MPI for the past 25 years and serving on numerous committees including the board of directors for the Potomac Chapter, I was excited to learn that the chapter was creating a mentorship program to support emerging leaders.
Mentoring numerous young professionals over the years, I vividly remember my first mentorship relationship. It was with an executive who I heard speak at a luncheon event in Richmond, VA, back in the 90’s. He was the first African American Keynote Speaker and C-Suite Executive that I had ever met in person from a prominent Fortune 500 company. In addition to being approachable and genuine he looked like me and so we began. His name was Mr. Sampson and he sent me a few books to read including Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, which was relatively new at the time. We met for a couple of years for phone call check-ins that were scheduled through his assistant.
Fast forward to today, I met my MPI Potomac mentee through the Mentorship program online application and matching process. Lura Bobbitt had a few colleagues that served as mentors, however, nothing formally organized or with regularly scheduled check ins as outlined in the MPI Potomac mentorship program.
Lura Bobbitt and I met virtually for the first time in the spring of 2021. I started off by sending her a couple of books to read. Two years later, we are still highly engaged and meeting on a monthly basis. We chuckled during a recent call, realizing that for as long as we have known each other, we have not met in person. Thanks to technology platforms like Zoom and Teams, we always meet eyeball to eyeball, just not face to face, which is hard to believe for two people in the meetings business!
When we first met, Lura was looking for a new job, actively interviewing, seeking advice and career guidance. We met weekly as she prepared for interviews and debriefed on the results of others. This cadence was difficult at times due to our busy schedules, but it was a welcome break from normal work duties. By setting a standing appointment on our calendars, we kept each other accountable and ensured that we were productive. After Lura settled into her new position, we gradually settled back into a monthly meeting cadence.
When I think back on our time together, I can see why our original mentorship relationship has evolved into a true friendship now. We have been through COVID surges, relaxation of the rules and guidelines, family milestones and memories both joyous and sad. We not only value each other’s opinion, we genuinely care for each other’s success and happiness professionally and personally.
Yes, we still carve out 45 minutes to an hour each month to catch up on work, but we always start with “How are you and how is life treating you, your family, and friends both mentally and physically?” I have enjoyed my mentorship relationship with Lura and am so proud of her willingness to learn and develop her skills beyond meeting planning. From her work as an aspiring DEI human resources leader to her ability to lead others in her organization, I can’t wait to see what life has to offer and what Lura will contribute to society as a leader and mentor to others in the future.
What would I recommend for others taking part in the MPI Potomac Mentorship program or other programs?
1. Start with goals and objectives. Know how the person you are mentoring or participating with as a mentee likes to work. What cadence for your meetings will work for your schedules and what do you want to get out of each meeting?
2. Avoid the talking head scenario. I suggest laying out action items and to-dos for each meeting, this will keep each of you accountable and give your mentee something to work on in between your meetings. Since I am old school, I keep a specific moleskin journal for our calls and note each time that we talk so I can go back and reference action items if needed. I’ve seen other mentorship pairs use a Google doc or Word document linked to the calendar invite so the running document can be updated by both parties on a regular basis and is always easy to find.
1. Start with goals and objectives. Know how the person you are mentoring or participating with as a mentee likes to work. What cadence for your meetings will work for your schedules and what do you want to get out of each meeting?
2. Avoid the talking head scenario. I suggest laying out action items and to-dos for each meeting, this will keep each of you accountable and give your mentee something to work on in between your meetings. Since I am old school, I keep a specific moleskin journal for our calls and note each time that we talk so I can go back and reference action items if needed. I’ve seen other mentorship pairs use a Google doc or Word document linked to the calendar invite so the running document can be updated by both parties on a regular basis and is always easy to find.
3. Use a platform that allows for flexibility, either Zoom, Teams or just old-fashioned mobile phones to stay in touch. This way if one of you is traveling or is not near a computer, you can still have a productive call.
4. Manage expectations. Most of us are not career coaches so if this is a new muscle for you as a mentor, let your mentee know what you can and can’t do or what is outside of your own comfort/skill zone. Over the past two years, working with Lura, I have had three coaches of my own and have shared some of their insights, tools, tips and exercises. I don’t make promises that I can’t keep, and I always try to add value without criticism.
Finally, we have fun by “Keeping it Real”. We laugh at life, politics, shows we are binge watching or vacation plans.
Thank you MPI Potomac for this extremely rewarding opportunity to engage with Lura.
-Stephen E. Peeler, CFRE
From Lura: Highlights from Mentorship
I really appreciate MPI Potomac for creating this mentorship program, I don’t think I would be where I am now without the strong mentorship I have with my mentor Stephen Peeler!
We have worked out a cadence to have a call via Zoom at least once a month, I highly recommend doing this. During that time, we catch up and brainstorm to solve problems at work etc. When I started this program, I was looking for a new job and now I work for a new company and I am currently in my second position here! Stephen has been an amazing ally and mentor; I am truly grateful!
Journey:
- Looking for a new job - Stephen helped me through this process, even with interview practice, resume review etc.
- Got a new job - advice on how to get acclimated into my new role etc. at a fully remote nonprofit organization
- Industry Transition - advice & resources on how to transition from Meeting Planning to Learning/Development/Organizational Development work.
- Got promoted - advice on how to be successful in my new role and sharing ideas on stretch goals etc.
Interested in becoming a mentor or mentee? Read more about the benefits and roles of the mentorship program and apply today!
The mission of the Mentorship Program is to empower emerging leaders (mentees) in the global events industry to better serve the MPI Potomac Chapter with leadership excellence by collaborating with experienced leaders (mentors).
