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Executive Leadership Program Q2 Networking Addresses Mentorship

The Emerging Executives Committee and Executive Leadership Program participants attended a quarterly networking event this week, where small-group breakout sessions facilitated dialogue that helped forge ties between students of the three programs: Engaging Leadership, Strategic & Branded Executive and Advanced Business Development.

The virtual format enabled more than 60 individuals from around the country to attend, including participants in the Engaging Leadership Middle East and Permian cohorts.

Emerging Executives Committee Chair Chris Berrie, Global Industry Manager – Well Service Pumps, Caterpillar; and Vice Chair Rian Kopycinski, Director, Integrated Solution, DistributionNOW, led the sessions, which took participants through breakout discussions focused on topics selected and distributed in advance.

The Emerging Executives Committee designed the format to help attendees identify career development and leadership behaviors that work for them, and brainstorm ways to continue development post-graduation, including opportunities to develop others. The questions also provide the Council with feedback to tailor programming for future cohorts.

Discussion questions covered the value of mentoring, how to improve mentorship, accountability within a mentoring relationship, and maintaining mentoring responsibilities.

“Infrastructure for mentorship is a significant benefit and should exist at every company,” said one participant. “Having that built into an organization allows employees to be specific about questions they’re asking because it relates to something your mentor knows intimately.”

Another participant discussed how organizations have hired more graduates over the past several years but have also experienced an increase in turnover.

“Attrition can be mitigated through a robust mentoring program,” the participant said. “Providing newly hired, recent graduates with guidance and support from leadership can be extremely effective.”

Participants also discussed accountability within mentoring and how it is maintained over the span of the mentorship relationship.

“Initially the accountability should be on the mentee, preparing questions and building out what he/she wants to get from the mentorship,” said one participant. “Moving forward, there should be a balance relative to accountability ownership with both the mentor and mentee setting expectations, identifying checkpoints and consistently engaging.”

Participants in the small group discussions shared key takeaways with the entire group at the end of the session.

For more information about the Emerging Executives Committee or the Executive Leadership Program, contact Senior Director, Programs & Events Peggy Helfert.


Peggy Helfert, Senior Director Programs and Events, writes about the Council’s sector-specific best practices and leadership. Click here to subscribe to the Council’s newsletter, which highlights industry practices, workforce development, Council activities and more.


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