At the company that I work for (FISPAN), we recently had an internal Mentorship program that offered employees the opportunity to participate either as mentors or mentees, supporting the growth of fellow professionals. Opting to be a mentee, I was fortunate to be paired with Aleksey, who is the Head of Architecture at FISPAN.
The mentorship with Aleksey provided an invaluable opportunity to learn from his extensive experience and gain insights into his approach to work. I am tremendously grateful to Aleksey for generously sharing his time and knowledge with me. Thank you, Aleksey! <3
Throughout our mentorship, we discussed various important topics and made significant progress. I have experienced significant personal and professional growth during this time.
Unveiling the 3 Most Significant Learnings
From all the valuable insights gained during the mentorship, I carefully handpicked the three most impactful and essential learnings that I incorporated into my professional journey.
Taking more ownership
Taking ownership entails a commitment to giving your best effort and taking full responsibility for successes and failures without blaming others. It involves continuously seeking improvement, seeking knowledge, exploring avenues for enhancement, and offering guidance, strategies, and any other resources necessary to ensure the success of the tasks at hand.
During the mentorship, I read the book [Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win] as recommended by Aleksey. A really good and insightful read!
Pushback on what you don’t agree
It is essential not to readily accept things that you disagree with solely based on the authority of the person conveying them. Instead, politely challenge such viewpoints, directing the discussion towards the subject matter rather than personal differences. Pushing back in a respectful manner allows for personal growth, broadens your perspective, and enables you to consider viewpoints that may have been previously unseen.
Furthermore, the act of pushing back when you don’t agree signifies a genuine interest and investment in the subject under discussion. It demonstrates that you care about the topic and are actively seeking a deeper understanding. Conversely, individuals who remain silent or readily agree often indicate a lack of concern or investment in the subject.
Always try to understand why we are doing
One significant takeaway from our meetings was recognizing my tendency towards an action bias. I realized that I often dive into tasks without fully understanding their purpose or expected outcomes. This insight prompted me to reflect on the importance of comprehending the “why” behind each action I take.
Moving forward, I aim to approach tasks with a greater focus on understanding their intended results. By doing so, I can align my efforts more effectively, ensuring that my actions are purposeful and contribute meaningfully towards achieving desired outcomes.
After starting the mentorship, I became much more conscious about understanding “why”. Also, following the mantra of my manager Anubhav, I ask myself a few questions: Why do I need to do this? (what is the desired outcome) Why now? (what is the urgency)
As Anhubav says, it has to be important AND urgent. If it is one or the other, we shouldn’t do it now.
These were the three most significant learnings I gained from the mentorship program. I am immensely grateful to Aleksey for generously sharing his knowledge, experience, and time with me!
Photo by Simon Abrams on Unsplash