John RiceSustainment Engineer| Lockheed MartinHarmony, Fl, United States
Personal growth is very more important for professional success. In the US Army, one of the character traits of a good NCO is to know oneself and seek self improvement. Sadly, many people do not recognize their full potential until a coach/ mentor identifies and enhances their abilities. Example are the great athletes; MJ, Tiger, Montana they were greats, but not without a coach improving their strengths and minimizing their weaknesses. The coach/mentor will never be better in performance, their real joy is success of their prodigies.
As Project Managers, there is real value in being a coach/mentor, the rewards do not have a dollar sign to it, but fulfills the need to be part of something bigger than yourself. I guarantee Pat Summitt as great as she is still has a mentor in terms of a confidant. You can not coach what you are not exposed to yourself.
John RiceSustainment Engineer| Lockheed MartinHarmony, Fl, United States
Mar 16, 2017 2:26 PM
Replying to Lisa Komidar
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I'm always mentoring and being mentored! Always train someone else to do your job or you will never be able to do your next job.
Lisa,
That is awesome. Who has been your greatest influence?
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1 reply by Lisa Komidar
Mar 19, 2017 7:19 AM
Lisa Komidar
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John, I don't think I can label one as being more of an influence than the others. Each Project Manager that I've worked with (including the PMO) have great strengths that are different than the others. I absorb their knowledge. Some practice a waterfall approach and others agile. That really intrigues me. I have some that I don't work with but share a leadership role on the local Agile Discussion Group. Amazing knowledge.
The one thing I really examine is how they handle others. The soft skill of dealing with people - knowing what the different personalities need to work through the project.
Saving Changes...
John RiceSustainment Engineer| Lockheed MartinHarmony, Fl, United States
Mar 16, 2017 1:51 PM
Replying to Julia Cunningham
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I am pleased that you did not use the term "mentee". Although Merriam-Webster claims it has been in use since the 60s, the sound of it grates, like fingernails on a chalkboard.
I think most of us in the profession play both roles (mentor and being mentored) on occasion, and I appreciate that about the people I have met. Thanks for the opportunity to think about some of the great mentors I have had in my career.
Julia
There are times when we need to reflect on the journey we have traveled thus far. We learn to appreciate what we have accomplished and learned, therefore we can share our experiences. Not only do I think about the people who influenced my career, but also how they did and what they taught me. The negative experiences taught what I would or would not do given the same scenario. Saving Changes...
John RiceSustainment Engineer| Lockheed MartinHarmony, Fl, United States
Mar 16, 2017 7:09 AM
Replying to Jess De Ocampo
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I don't have a personal mentor now. The project management community is my mentor.
The altruistic attitude of the community members in sharing their knowledge, resources, advices, etc. with each other is simply amazing!
There will be always a room for self-improvement and growth. Learning is a lifelong experience.
Cheers to all!
Jessica,
Sometimes we need to ask someone to be a mentor. Learning through media is good, but adults especially learn through andragogy as "learner-centered/directed". We learn through experiences. What works and what doesn't. That is where a mentor comes in, they are able to share their experiences.
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1 reply by Jess De Ocampo
Mar 19, 2017 3:44 AM
Jess De Ocampo
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Hi John, I appreciate your invaluable advice and concern, thank you! I ABSOLUTELY agree with you. But I know this is only temporary... This community has an altruistic attitude and the support system is amazing. I am so grateful.
Saving Changes...
John RiceSustainment Engineer| Lockheed MartinHarmony, Fl, United States
Ok Group.
How would you handle this?
You are in a job interview and are asked to describe your worst boss, what would you say? give a life experience for others to learn from. Saving Changes...
Jess De OcampoLean Six Sigma Professional/Project Manager/Consultant/| .Manila, Ncr, Philippines
Mar 18, 2017 10:31 PM
Replying to John Rice
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Jessica,
Sometimes we need to ask someone to be a mentor. Learning through media is good, but adults especially learn through andragogy as "learner-centered/directed". We learn through experiences. What works and what doesn't. That is where a mentor comes in, they are able to share their experiences.
Hi John, I appreciate your invaluable advice and concern, thank you! I ABSOLUTELY agree with you. But I know this is only temporary... This community has an altruistic attitude and the support system is amazing. I am so grateful.
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1 reply by John Rice
Mar 20, 2017 1:47 AM
John Rice
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Very good Jessica
Saving Changes...
Lisa KomidarService Delivery Manager - Sr. Engagement Manager| Optimum Healthcare ITKane, Pa, United States
Mar 18, 2017 10:21 PM
Replying to John Rice
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Lisa,
That is awesome. Who has been your greatest influence?
John, I don't think I can label one as being more of an influence than the others. Each Project Manager that I've worked with (including the PMO) have great strengths that are different than the others. I absorb their knowledge. Some practice a waterfall approach and others agile. That really intrigues me. I have some that I don't work with but share a leadership role on the local Agile Discussion Group. Amazing knowledge.
The one thing I really examine is how they handle others. The soft skill of dealing with people - knowing what the different personalities need to work through the project.
...
1 reply by John Rice
Mar 20, 2017 1:51 AM
John Rice
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Lisa,
Good point. When look back I see one Command Sergeant Major who affected my approach in one way and another person in a different way.
Some people point to their parent or coach or even a trial under fire.
The purpose of my initial question was to bring out how we need connections to grow.
Saving Changes...
John RiceSustainment Engineer| Lockheed MartinHarmony, Fl, United States
Mar 19, 2017 3:44 AM
Replying to Jess De Ocampo
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Hi John, I appreciate your invaluable advice and concern, thank you! I ABSOLUTELY agree with you. But I know this is only temporary... This community has an altruistic attitude and the support system is amazing. I am so grateful.
Very good Jessica Saving Changes...
John RiceSustainment Engineer| Lockheed MartinHarmony, Fl, United States
Mar 19, 2017 7:19 AM
Replying to Lisa Komidar
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John, I don't think I can label one as being more of an influence than the others. Each Project Manager that I've worked with (including the PMO) have great strengths that are different than the others. I absorb their knowledge. Some practice a waterfall approach and others agile. That really intrigues me. I have some that I don't work with but share a leadership role on the local Agile Discussion Group. Amazing knowledge.
The one thing I really examine is how they handle others. The soft skill of dealing with people - knowing what the different personalities need to work through the project.
Lisa,
Good point. When look back I see one Command Sergeant Major who affected my approach in one way and another person in a different way.
Some people point to their parent or coach or even a trial under fire.
The purpose of my initial question was to bring out how we need connections to grow. Saving Changes...
Julia CunninghamManager Project Management| BattelleRichland, Wa, United States
Mar 16, 2017 2:05 PM
Replying to Stéphane Parent
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I agree, Julia. Whenever I hear "mentee", I get visions of sea mammals. I much prefer the term protégé.
Interesting. I grew up in Florida around some of the "hot" springs where the manatees spend the winter and never really correlated mentee with manatee. Gentle,slow and inquisitive creatures though.
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2 replies by John Rice and Stéphane Parent
Mar 20, 2017 12:43 PM
Stéphane Parent
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All qualities that would be useful to the mentor and the protégé.
Mar 20, 2017 10:48 PM
John Rice
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Julia,
I know right... I too grew up in Florida and the correlation can apply and as Stéphane said the qualities are useful.
Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
Mar 20, 2017 12:39 PM
Replying to Julia Cunningham
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Interesting. I grew up in Florida around some of the "hot" springs where the manatees spend the winter and never really correlated mentee with manatee. Gentle,slow and inquisitive creatures though.
All qualities that would be useful to the mentor and the protégé. Saving Changes...
