Mentoring in the age of COVID-19

ESCP Alumni - ESCP Alumni - Be a student mentor
 

This is one of the topics I would like to reflect on as we say our goodbyes to 2021.

For me, being a mentor in both 2020 and 2021 went far beyond the feeling of just giving back. In the context of the pandemic, my mentoring relationships have been a great support system against isolation and gave me great exposure to new and different perspectives from my mentees.
 

In these years, I have been mentoring two talented ESCP students: one from France and another one from Ivory Coast. Both are now interning with top banks in Paris, France. It is wonderful seeing them advance further on their career journey and leadership discovery. It was such a treat to share my experiences and perspective with these talented hardworking and inspiring leaders of tomorrow.
 

As I pause, reflect, and plan for the year ahead, I am also re-joining for yet another year of the ESCP Alumni Mentorship program. That’s why I would like to reflect on the power of mentorship especially in our age of COVID-19 and remote working.
 

Remote work has been an adjustment for everyone (to say the least), and its poignant effect on our professional and personal relationships has been just as significant as its impact on our daily tasks:

• It was a joy connecting once a month every Saturday at 6am with my mentees in France and exchange ideas about topics like Corporate Strategy, Wealth Management, Private Equity Investing, and newer approaches to tackle new problems. During these discussions, my mentees were inspiring me with their imagination and energy to push forward some of my own endeavors.
• The mentoring program culminated with a dinner in September 2021 in Paris on the Champs-Élysées. This in-person meetup was one of the highlights of my year after a year of Zoom meetings.

I have cherished the active relationship building and mutual rapport we have created throughout our mentoring sessions. What’s more, there are other aspects of mentoring I have discovered:

• My mentor and mentee relationships helped me stay resilient and connected in the face of challenges.
• Investing time in meaningful, deep connections with individuals one-on-one can be a refreshing change and a chance for more authentic connection.
• By leveraging mentorship goals through a tech-enabled program, you can keep in touch with all your employees in a streamlined manner.
• The pandemic has led to a positive impact on mentoring relationships, through more frequent check-ins and shifts in the types and amounts of support we can offer.
   

I’m grateful for the friendships and memories I made over the last two years. Despite the difficulty the world has all put us through in 2020 and 2021. That is why I want to call on all of my executive friends and colleagues to set aside some time for mentorship. There are so many rewards in developing the leaders of tomorrow.

One more thing: Watch out for my next piece on work-life harmony

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