January is National Mentoring Month, a time in which we can recognize the profound impact mentoring has on helping you uncover the potential that lies inside of you. Mentors serve as a source of knowledge that can help guide and nurture professional development. For professionals looking to grow in their careers, mentorship is important for continuous improvement to advance to the next level. Great mentors become a trusted ally that you can use as a sounding board to bounce things off of and will encourage and empower you. Additionally, a mentor can help you identify areas where you need to improve and help expand your network.
In honor of National Mentoring Month, the team at Kite Hill came together to share some of the best advice received from a mentor. Check out the roundup below!
Shannon Blood, Senior Account Director
A former supervisor once told me “don’t be afraid to take chances, even if you think your idea might come off as silly.” The autonomy given to me at such an early stage in my career really propelled my creative contributions ever since.
Mackenzie Gavel, Account Director
My first boss ever noticed that I was a bit shy and hesitant to express my ideas and opinions to the larger team. He told me that if I took away one principle from working with him, it was that it would be critical for me to become my own best advocate. That’s something that, throughout the years, has rang true for me in both work and life, and it’s now advice that I try to share often with others.
Maggie Stasko, Senior Account Executive
At my first agency gig, my account lead (now friend/mentor) shared the importance of being protective of your personal time and knowing your limits to avoid burnout. This is something I make a point to remind myself of every day at work. Taking a breath, a sip of water or a walk can be a total mood changer.
Khala Simmons, Account Executive
A former colleague turned friend told me to stop minimizing my capabilities and overall value to align with other people’s limitations. This has helped me become a better advocate for myself and embrace the fact that while I still have a lot to learn, I also have a lot to offer.
Kyle Murray, Senior Account Manager
A former boss of mine lived by the mantra of failing fast. If something is not working—quickly adjust strategies in order to achieve goals. I think this piece of advice can be applied both professionally and personally and is a good reminder that you’re not going to get everything right on the first try.
Emma Wolfe, VP
I’ve been lucky enough to have some excellent mentors throughout my career. The piece of advice that has impacted me the most was to know when to keep pushing and when to reevaluate. In the PR industry, much like in life, having tenacity is essential for success, but knowing when to pause, evaluate and change course as needed can be even more imperative.