PREPARING TO STEP

UP IN A MAGEMENT
ROLE & WORKING
WITH A MENTOR
Most employees strive for promotions that will eventually lead to
a role in management. Discuss various steps that employees at
all levels can take to prepare themselves for management
positions within the company.

"Good management skills can positively impact productivity, and

overall employee morale," said Rosemary Haefner, vice
president of human resources at CareerBuilder. "We see more
companies investing in management training programs to
develop today's and tomorrow's leaders."
 Preparing Yourself to Move into a Management Role

1. How do you make the move into a team leader or

management capacity?

2. 2. As many of us envision our future, it often involves moving

up the corporate ladder, but often times we're unsure how to
achieve that goal.

3. 3. How do you take the next step into more of a leadership or

managerial role?
If you're looking to pursue a move into management, some tips are:

1. Understand major components of management and leadership.

2. Communicate interest.
3. Shadow.
4. Invest personal time to develop both your leadership and management skills.
5. Inquire about internal Leadership Development Programs.
6. Start to take on some of the responsibilities of the job you want.
7. Start the of networking, and leverage your network.
8. Consider advanced degrees or certifications,
9. Identify opportunities to gain skills on personal time.
[Link] major components of management and
leadership.

Kate Murray (2015) mentioned in her study, "If you’re aspiring to be in higher or managerial
position", it is important to know first the major components of leadership and management or
understand first the responsibilities and skills that come along with being in that capacity. Some of
those skills and responsibilities include: communication, leadership, building and managing
teams, resource management, budgeting, motivating and holding others accountable, delegation,
dealing With difficult people, interviewing, hiring and firing. performance reviews, and having
difficult conversations once you have a clearer picture of the key components required to be
successful. You'll have a much better idea of whether you're prepared for the role and if it's the
right career move.
2. Communicate interest.

According to Kate Murray (2015) in her study, "Communication of

your goals and interests to the right people is often the key towards
a promotion/career progress." You can't assume your manager
knows your target career path. Therefore, be clear in vocalizing
your interest and working with your manager on a development
plan to help you move in the direction you want to go.
3. Shadow
a. Job shadowing is a great way to figure out what skills you can develop now
to help you stand out when it comes to application time. Take the time
during your job shadowing experience to ask your mentor what you can do
now to help improve your resume and skills.

b. An on-the-job learning, career development, and leadership development

program. It involves working with another employee who might have a
different job in hand, have something to teach.

c. An informal way for someone to learn what it is like to perform a particular

job at a workplace. An individual follows around, or shadows the worker
already in that role.
4. Invest personal time to develop both your leadership and
management skills.

Being responsible for your success includes investing in your

personal.

Management skills are highly transferable abilities and know how

that almost everyone employs on a daily basis in their work life.
Regardless of industry position or qualification, management skills
are fundamental building blocks of a successful future. A personal
development plan is an outline to help you create and identify your
goals, an accountability plan to keep you on track toward success.
5. Inquire about internal leadership development
programs

According to Kate Murray (2015), in her study, "Most companies

have several training programs. The organization has formal
emerging leaders, leadership programs, and several informal
groups amongst management peers that talk regularly about
leadership development topics.“ Understand what programs your
company offers, and figure out what's needed to get involved.
6. Start to take on some of the responsibilities of the job
you want.
Kate Murray (2015) mentioned in her study, "One of the best ways to get ahead
is to find a way to start doing the responsibilities found within the job you want."
Write a list of the responsibilities that can be found in your target role, and
schedule a sit down with your boss to discuss. Offer to help out with some of
those tasks. For example, if you're trying to become a team lead, some additional
responsibilities could include: interviewing candidates, code reviews of junior
developers, leading meetings, and training. Inquire if there's an opportunity for
you to take on some of those tasks, which will not only help you gain those
skills, but help out your manager and potentially increase your internal visibility.
7. Start the process of networking and leverage your
network.
Networking leads to increased opportunity and, if possible, it's a good
idea to build strong working relationships with the individuals that can
assist in helping you to achieve your next career move. "Networking“
really just means talking to people and learning from their experiences.
Networking is one of the greatest competitive advantages that you can
have when looking for a promotion or to move into a leadership,
management role.
8. Consider advanced degrees or certifications.

Continue professional development provides a panoramic view of an

individual's skill set, enabling them to hone their prevalent skills
while improving those that require work. Ultimately,- continual
upskilling boosts confidence and empowers the individual to
become more proficient in their role. Furthering your education helps
instill the knowledge and confidence to act out whatever role you're
asked to play. And, if that's not enough, completing additional
education provides a sense of accomplishment that can spark
ongoing success.
9. Identify opportunities to gain skills on personal time.

The main reason of participating in this kind of professional organization is

consequently, it improves our communication skills and it can help you to build
and nourish long-term relationships with others and of course for possible future
projects because of possible connections. In addition, it allows you to meet
different people who can possibly help you when you are looking for job
opportunities. And lastly, you can expand network in the vital of career growth.

The Benefits of Membership in Professional Organizations: Helps you to

build the career portfolio of a professional. Organizations can provide
opportunities for speaking engagements, career specialization, publication and
even scholarship and training programs abroad.
Moving Towards Management Role

Moving into a higher responsibility or in management roles involve more than

just managing people, supervising projects, and schedules. Expect that you
will perform the role Of a leader, which involves guiding people, communicating
a vision of success, and motivating, inspiring and aligning people to
accomplish certain

Always identify the career path you want to get into: like being a management
trainee position? technical lead? Technical manager? project manager? Spend
time to reflect or think about the responsibilities you want to have, in an effort
to determine the type of role you really want!
1. Jot down all the key responsibilities you want to be associated with your
target role.

2. Inquire and pursue a certification or degree that would be helpful to your

target career like Six Sigma Certification, Project Management, or any
certification that is related to your point of interest.

3. Always develop a line of questioning in advance to familiarize yourself or to

widen your idea about the
unquestionable things.
4. Make an opportunity to participate in any meetings like free webinar, tradeshow, product
launches etc. Always remember, you don't need to be a member of associations to attend
meetings/events, your goal is to have an idea about the flow of program and how to
manage or lead the establishment.

5. spend at least 3 hours a week of surfing online, training about management and
leadership topics like Leadership in the Modern Workplace, Leadership Essentials,
Management Essentials, Productivity Essentials, leadership and Management Skills, and
Servant Leadership.
 Working With a Mentor

Mentors often become lifelong friends and collaborators. Address

how you find a mentor within your industry, discuss what to expect
from this relationship, and explain how it can benefit both parties.

Mentoring is a relationship which gives people the opportunity

to share their professional skills and experiences and to grow and
develop in the process.
1. The "mentor" is usually an experienced individual who shares knowledge,
experience, and advice with a less experienced person, or mentee.

2. They support and encourage their mentees by offering suggestions and

knowledge, both general and specific.

3. The goal is to help mentees improve their skills and, hopefully advance
their careers.

4 A mentoring partnership maybe between two people within the same

company, same industry, or same networking.
Mentor

1. A wise and trusted counselor or teacher.

2. The main person you rely on to give you advice and

guidance, especially in your career.
Mentee
1. A person who is advised and helped by a more experienced
person over a period of time, especially within a formal mentoring
programme in a company, a university, etc.

2. The aim is to build up the mentee's confidence.

3. The mentee may .wish to discuss her- career plans with the
mentor.
 Benefits to the Mentor

The Powerful Benefits of Mentoring:

1. Build your leadership skills

a. Being encouraged and empowered in personal development.

b. This can help you to identify and correct gaps in generic skills and
knowledge.
[Link] your communication skills.

a. Effective communication is essential to building a trusting and strong

mentoring relationship.

b. Good mentors often learn from their mentees. Also, mentors can serve as
models for the behavior of others by not be so over-opinionated.

3. Learn new perspectives.

a. Enhances your skills in leadership, counselling. listening and modelling.

b. Learn new perspectives and approaches.

4. Gain personal satisfaction.
a. The mentors will act as a trusted ad visor, model, teacher,
counselor and advocate to the mentee, mentees will have an
opportunity to try more advanced tasks and demonstrate
expanded capabilities.

b. Mentors will be happier if their mentee will succeed in their life

and because of the dedication of the mentor
to share their knowledge and skills to the mentee this
achievement will serve as a result of the input as a reward in
itself.
5. Advance your career.

The mentors will also benefit to the mentee, mentors can

develop leadership skills and gain a personal sense of
satisfaction from knowing that they’ve helped someone.
 Benefits to the Mentee:
Further benefits for mentees include:

1. Gain valuable advice.

a. Mentors will guide mentees to reach the goals.

b. Gain practical advice, and encouragement support. Receiving

wisdom and advice can be your guide and "sounding board“ for
ideas, helping you decide on the best course ofaction in difficult
situations.
2. Learn new perspectives.

Mentees can learn new ways of thinking from their

mentor. Mentees have an opportunity to gain
practical knowledge and insight from mentor who
has achieved a level of expertise they aspire to
attain.
3. Develop your knowledge and skills.

Mentors will guide mentees to identify the skills and

expertise that they need to succeed in and also may
teach mentees on what they need to know, on where
to go for the information that they need.
4. Improve your communication skills.
a. Effective communication is essential to building a trusting and strong mentoring relationship.

b. Good mentors often learn from their mentees. Also, mentors can serve as models for the
behavior of others by not being over-opinionated.

5. Build your network.

The mentor can offer an opportunity to expand of existing network of personal and professional
contacts.

6. Advance your career.

A mentor will help mentees to stay focused and on track in career through advice, skills
development, networking, and so on.
 Types of Mentoring
1. One-on-One Mentoring

a. This is the traditional model of mentoring, where mentor and one mentee
agree to enter a mentoring relationship to help the mentee develop, improve,
and achieve.

b. In this type of mentoring, the mentor has more experience in an area that the
mentee is interested in, and so can act as an advisor and guide.
2. Peer Mentoring
a. Peer mentoring involves colleagues of a similar age and experience
level mentoring each other.

b. They may take turns acting as 'mentor' and 'mentee, but overall,
peer mentoring is about creating a formal support system, learning
together, and holding one another accountable.
3. Group Mentoring
a. This style of mentoring involves one mentor working with several
mentees in a group.

b. b. Mentoring in a group setting also helps improve everybody's

teamwork skills.

c. Group mentoring is a combination of group facilitation and peer

mentoring with the mentor(s) contributing as facilitators for the group
dynamics, helping the mentees share and learn and providing input
based on the mentor's own experience e.g., through storytelling,
providing information, giving feedback etc.
4. Reverse Mentoring

Reverse mentoring is a management practice in which a

senior employee seeks to gain business from a less insights
experienced, often younger employee. As the name implies,
reverse mentoring flip-flops the typical mentoring relationship
in which a more experienced person guides a less
experienced person.
5. Team Mentoring

More like in sports, team mentoring involves a group of mentors and

mentees who carry out mentoring sessions as a team. "Team mentoring
offers a methodology for facilitating the learning of an intact team."
Together the individuals making up the team articulate mutual learning
goals and work simultaneously with one or more mentors who guide
them through a deliberate and deliberative process to facilitate their
learning.
6. Virtual Mentoring

Virtual mentoring refers to a process of mentoring where

mentors and mentees communicate through means of
internet-based tools such as e-mails, chats and social
media networks. This type of mentoring usually occurs
because of the distance between the two parties.
What Can I Use a Mentor for?

1. Job Orientation

a. Someone who helps you settle in to your new job/company.

b. Mentors raise your confidence and problem-solving abilities.

c. Along with developing leadership skills, having a mentor to advise and

guide you can increase your confidence and help develop problem- solving
skills. Regarding confidence, research has tied having a mentor to an overall
increase in emotional health.
2. Career Transition
a. Someone with whom you review your career goals and plans.

b. These mentors will provide you with advice about making the
switch into another industry, things like how to present yourself,
employers to target, and ways to reposition your resume for the new
industry. They can also suggest contacts or make connections.
3. Skills
Someone who will help you develop specific skills. A mentor may share information
about his or her own career path, as well as provide guidance, motivation, emotional
support, and role modeling.

4. Professional/Person Development
Someone who will help you grow

Benefits of Personal Development:

a. Increased self-awareness and self-esteem

b. Improved personal and professional relationship
c. Increased mental fitness
d. Greater resilience
e. More knowledge and learned skills
5. Confidant

a. Someone who is there for you.

b. A mentor may help with exploring careers, setting goals, developing contacts, and
identifying resources.

6. Technical Advisor

b. Someone with whom you can discuss technical questions.

b. Advisors play the role of offering advice.

7. Correspondents

Someone to whom you explain your ideas.

Qualities of a Good Mentor

1. Mentors should be enthusiastic about the role.

2. Mentors value learning.
3. They treat others respectfully.
4. They are experts in their field.
5. Mentors encourage you to step out of your comfort zone.
6. They are active listeners and mentors know how to provide
7. feedback.
Characteristics of a Great Mentor

1. Respected within or external to the organization

2. High level of relevant experience
3. Ability to get on with people
4. Excellent communication skills
5. Humility/Desire to continue to learn

Work Mentoring:

Engage your manager

1. Gaining input into your development needs
2. Explaining outcomes you are hoping to achieve
3. Providing them with regular updates on your progress
 HOW TO BE MENTORED:

[Link] self-awareness
[Link] to listen
[Link] ownership
[Link] for actions
[Link] to learn
 Qualities of a Good Mentee

1. Personal commitment — Mentee should be considerate to schedule meetings

ahead of time, value the mentor's time.

2. Flexibility — Mentee should recognize the need to accommodate changes as

situations arise yet focused on the overall goal.

3. Initiative — Mentee should have the ability to act or take charge to do something
without being prompted to do so.

4. Openness — Mentee should be willing to accept feedback, discuss areas for

improvement, and ask for help, as well as share one's needs and views with the
mentor.

5. Open-mindedness — Mentee should be willing to consider different ideas or

opinions, to try new things, and to accept different points of view.