As a young professional, I can attest to the benefits of learning from experienced leaders and mentors and to the benefits of having experienced professionals available and accessible to guide and advise as I developed as a marketing and communications professional and in the development of the Lok Jack GSB Alumni Association.
Being inexperienced in the sphere of corporate governance, I have been privileged to “be in the room” as seasoned CEOs and directors built and contributed to the development of the Alumni Association. In reflecting on these experiences, these are some of the fundamental takeaways that I have gained from being exposed to seasoned professionals and experienced leaders in my career development journey.
Learning from the Best: Tapping into the wisdom of experienced professionals and emerging leaders will help you gain insights into strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and effective governance practices. The ability to observe and learn from experienced business leaders, as decisions are made and rationalised, shapes your thinking and thought patterns as to the factors that impact making business decisions. My most salient memory of this was listening to the CEOs of three large corporate entities in T&T discuss the need to prepare their organisations for the COVID-19 pandemic in July of 2019 (six months before the pandemic was declared) and the measures that would be put into place to ensure business continuity should the projected event take place.
Continuous Growth: Excellent leaders and mentors emphasise the importance of continuous learning, inspiring mentees to seek out new opportunities for development and refine their skills as they navigate the challenges of leadership roles.
For example, one senior public servant shared with us the benefits of her career when her mentor advised her to learn Spanish and become bilingual. This skill made her the only person in the management team who was bi-lingual, which then propelled her career as the organisation collaborated with other similar agencies throughout Latin America.
Shaping Ethos and Culture: Mentors shape the ethos and culture of the organisation or association of which they are a part. This then instils a commitment to the organisation and fosters a sense of community among its members, as there is now a shared goal. The culture and ethos of the ALJGSB Alumni Association were in no small part shaped by the knowledge, values, and leadership of the interim Alumni Board of Executives and their collective wisdom and contribution to the development of this organisation. They represent the collective knowledge and experience of nine local, regional, and multi-national organisations in a range of economic sectors. This collective wisdom personified the term synergistic collaboration, which redounded to the benefit of the association and to the future of Caribbean leadership.
Paving the Way for Succession: Effective mentorship not only prepares leaders for their current roles but also paves the way for succession, ensuring a seamless transition of leadership and governance responsibilities. As the transition from an interim executive to an elected executive occurred, the need for succession planning was evident. How can continuity be assured, and how do we ensure that the progress that was made is not wasted? These questions highlighted the need to put in place good governance processes and proper succession planning and ensure that they are enshrined in the constitution of the association to ensure the sustainability of the association.
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: By standing on the shoulders of giants, emerging leaders are empowered to reach greater heights, inspired by the belief that mentorship is the cornerstone of effective leadership and governance. The knowledge that you have the support of some of the greatest professional minds in the country enables you to dig deep and stretch the limits of your vision and abilities. They inspire you to do better and do more and to build even more and better than what they have built.
Active Listening vs Listening to Respond: Active listening goes beyond simply hearing words; it entails showing genuine interest, empathy, and respect for the speaker’s perspective. Active listening prioritises understanding and empathy; listening to respond focuses more on preparing a reply or argument. Active listening fosters effective communication and mutual respect, while listening to respond may hinder genuine understanding and connection. The art of active listening by mentors and leaders, effectively practised, equips and activates younger professionals. It emboldens people to give their best ideas, no matter how incredible they may be, in the knowledge that they will be listened to with understanding and empathy.
As the ALJGSB Alumni Association grows from its birth to infancy, the new Alumni Association executive holds the responsibility of building a foundation built by a team of brilliant leaders. These men and women have set a high bar to attain. With their guidance and mentorship, the new executive can take the baton and lead the next stage of the development of this association. The vision and goals set by the interim executive can be further developed, and the bar can be lifted even higher as we build a new generation of Caribbean leaders.
Mentorship plays a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of leaders, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to navigate the complexities of leadership and governance roles effectively.
