Fictional mentoring profiles

Sunita has just been promoted to her first leadership role as the manager of a dept that has several direct reports, but also some key partners around the globe that she will need to work with. Senior management are impressed and feel she is ready for the promotion and she is highly capable.  Sunita wants to explore some ideas she has but would prefer to talk to someone independent and in confidence initially.  She is confident in her abilities and her ideas, but somewhat apprehensive about ‘jumping in’ and feels a sounding board and someone to mentor her would be a real benefit right now.

Richard has just joined his first company on a sought-after graduate scheme.  He feels fortunate to have been selected as there were 100s of applicants.  He has had a great record of accomplishment in education.  He is keen to learn and make an impression.   Having left an environment at university that he was familiar with, he is finding it a little challenging to adjust to working life. He is trying to understand the culture of his new organisation and what is expected of him.  He wants to succeed, but he is privately a little anxious about ‘doing the right thing’ and behaving in the way that his new firm expects.  He feels some mentoring would really help him navigate this and keep him on track.

Joanna has just finished her two-year graduate scheme.  She has done well, and the feedback about her performance and progress is positive.  She feels valued.  However, she is not sure about ‘what next’ and is feeling a little demotivated.  She does not know how to get herself going and is not clear on what she wants for her future career.  She really likes the company she works for.  However, she feels a little stifled and is unsure about how to progress.  She does not want to leave but has considered it.  She knows her current firm are ‘investors in people’. Her boss is great and very approachable and always makes herself available to Joanna.  However, there are topics and issues right now she does not want to raise with her for fear of creating a conflict or being judged.  An independent mentor who she can be totally open with would be helpful to her to discuss her options and to guide her thinking. She knows this would be of real benefit and get her motivated again.  

Shirine’s nephew is working for a small local firm.  He is enjoying it, but Shirine is concerned that he is not always exposed to different thinking and opportunities that a larger organisation might provide for him.   It is a bit closed and because it is a small firm, they are not able to invest in development and training in the same way as larger organisations can.  He is developing some technical skills and the on-the-job training is great.  Without a large HR team and no access to developmental training he is possibly missing out.  Shirine has discussed the idea of him having a mentor, which she would fund for him.  He likes the idea and is pleased to hear that this can take place outside of his normal working day, with appointments possible during his lunch break or in the evenings.  

Gabriella has just been given her first overseas assignment.  Until now she has always worked at head office.  She will be out in the field and will face new challenges around local culture and language.  She is excited for the opportunity but feels she would like some help to guide her over the transition into her new role.  She really likes the idea of having a mentor assigned to her.

Enrique is having a few domestic issues and is struggling with his work life balance.  He is a caring family man and diligent professional as well as studying for his professional qualifications.   He is trying to balance everything and is coping admirably, but at times he finds it all a bit overwhelming.  He feels he would like to be able to share in a confidential environment and get some help with his future career path, as well as some immediate support to help him through this current period and the pressure he is under. 

Amy has just had two new teams assigned to her management role.  Her span of control will be impacted and some of her new direct reports are based overseas and in different time zones.  She is keen to manage effectively and make a success of her enhanced responsibilities.  She really likes the idea of getting some support and being mentored by someone who has the right experience and can share some insights with her.

Bethany has just been appointed to lead a different team. Over recent years, she has enjoyed much success leading a specialist team, where she also had lots of technical knowledge and experience.  She was valued for her knowledge by her peers and her leaders.  She is highly innovative.  Her last team improved performance in many areas of their key metrics.  Her new team works on a completely different area of technical specialism.   Management parted company with the previous leader due to some concerns.  The team are demotivated, and they were loyal to the previous boss.  It is potentially a little toxic.  Bethany knows she can make a success of it, but this is not an environment she has experienced before, and she feels some mentoring from someone with the right experience will really help her to take her career to the next level and make a success of this new opportunity.