Are you really listening?

Are you really listening?

I'm wrapping up the Aiming Higher mentorship program with my lovely mentee,  @ Julia Langguth . This program, a partnership between EY and the University of St. Gallen, has been a great journey, and I'm so grateful I got to be a part of it. It's been an interesting parallel to my own coaching journey, too.

While mentoring and coaching are very different, I have realized that active listening is crucial for both. As I spent the past 10 years among consultants, I'm wired to have the answers – quick, accurate, and actionable. 

Mentoring, though, is a different beast. 

Even though you might have more experience, it's not about instantly providing solutions.

Sometimes Julia would come up with her own ideas, and I would have to fight the urge to interrupt. 

I would think, "Wait, that's not how I would do it! Shouldn't I, the experienced one, guide her?" 

But active listening has taught me to hold back.

It has taught me to truly hear her perspective without jumping to conclusions. I have to remember that I don't always have the perfect answer, and my way isn't the only way.

Am I perfect at it? Definitely not! But learning to actively listen has hopefully helped me become a better mentor. As a mentor, it's my job to motivate and support my mentee without making her feel pressured. 

I can't wait to see what amazing things Julia will do in the future! This mentorship has been a fantastic learning experience for both of us, and I'm excited to carry these lessons forward in my career.

What are your thoughts on active listening? 

#mentorship #activelistening  #thechangerepublic

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