No matter what stage of their career, any project manager can benefit from the informed support of a mentor. Here’s why.
“To reach a certain level, I think a manager needs a mentor who puts advice in his ear at important moments!” says David Brazeau, who is now dedicating himself to his role as a mentor at PMI-Montréal after a 30-year career as a project manager. What are the advantages of mentoring in this area?
Having access to significant
It’s hard to know how to react when you have never faced a given situation. That’s where a mentor can prove helpful. “Project management is very broad and complex! A person who has several years experience will certainly be able to offer a more global perspective on a given situation,” says David Brazeau.
Being Strategic
Depending on the reality faced, a project manager can develop strategies with his mentor to achieve his goals. “Whether its convincing a board of directors, entering a market or resolving a conflict, it’s my role to help the person I am sponsoring to put the best possible plan in place,” says David Brazeau.
Challenging one’s own approach
According to David Brazeau, the mentor is like a sounding board for the project manager. “The idea of mentoring doesn’t mean handing everything over on a silver platter. It’s rather leading the manager towards his own answers. The mentor has to reflect on what the sponsored person is expressing or doing.” Thanks to this personalized and confidential support, the manager has the full space to develop their practice with confidence!
Developing a network of contacts
While networking is not the primary purpose of mentoring, it may eventually be part of the process. “In addition to helping someone present themselves better as a professional, a mentor can connect them with key people if needed,” David Brazeau emphasizes. Which can open a lot of doors for him!
Increasing his chances of success
A career path mostly leads through mistakes and failures. “In the event of missteps, the manager can count on the frankness of his mentor, who can really claim to be impartial,” says David Brazeau.