A few weeks after commencing the executive MBA programme with LBS, I indicated interest to join the Mentoring programme of LBS. A few weeks after indicating interest, I got an email requesting that I indicate my choice of a mentor from a list of individuals who had volunteered to mentor.
I looked through the list and made a selection. The criteria for my selection were individuals who were in my field and who operated within my industry.
On the 27th of February, I got an email from the Career’s department of LBS, introducing my mentor and I to one another. The email contained his phone number, email address and a brief profile of both of us.
The following day, 28th of February, I reached out to my mentor via a phone call and introduced myself. I later sent an email to propose a date for our first meeting. He agreed to the date, and I set up the meeting on Ms. Teams.
I was a bit nervous because I did not know what to expect. It was my first time on a mentor-mentee scheme. However, I ensured that I was prepared. I had set the agenda of the meeting to cover discussions around the mentoring agreement. I did a self-assessment and outlined what I wanted out of the mentoring relationship.
On the day of the first meeting, I joined the meeting five minutes before the scheduled time. I had the questions from the mentoring agreement and my notes ready for the meeting.
My mentor joined the meeting, and discussions began around my MBA programme. I discussed my fears with him and was glad I did ,as he gave me detailed tips on how he scaled through while undergoing a similar programme with LBS years ago. I took note of the tips as I made up my mind to use them.
The discussions around the mentoring programme included frequency of our meetings, what the mentor and the mentee wanted out of the relationship, the ground rules for our discussions, the type of assistance the mentee needed from the mentor, the characteristics that the mentor expected from the mentee, any topics that are off limit, how problems will be resolved, topics of urgent interest and winding down the relationship.
We agreed to meet once in a month and discovered that we both desired similar outcomes from the relationship. We both wanted a development in our career and lifestyle. While I looked forward to building on his network, having free access to him and feedback, he desired a situation where he could also improve his network, and share experience to strengthen one other.
We both agreed that the ground rules for our discussions will be confidentiality, openness, mutual respect and truthfulness.
Before the end of the meeting, I committed to tracking my progress in the MBA programme with LBS and giving him feedback each time we meet.
My first meeting with my mentor was quite amazing. I sincerely look forward to an enriching mentorship journey with him. #EMBA 28
Financial Transaction Analysis