The valuable lessons I learned from my mentors

I had the privilege to access mentors from top executives and experienced professionals working for a multinational FMCG in my younger years. They guided me on where to focus, overcome challenges, understand choices and consequences, and undertake make-or-break decision-making and imparted other valuable wisdom they acquired through years of experience.

I am forever grateful that I got introduced to mentoring and continued having mentors until now. I learned valuable lessons from a professional and, most notably, from a personal perspective. I always encouraged my previous interns and direct reports to seek mentors because this is a must kit to have, in navigating the real world.

What are the valuable lessons I learned from my mentors?

- Expertise is power, but every employee is dispensable. An in-depth understanding of how much time and effort is invested into a role or job without jeopardizing other aspects of life. I might get the salary increase or promotion I have been aiming for, but I should be aware of the consequences of putting all my time and effort into doing so. For any reason, I cannot deliver the same quality and high performance; I can be replaced by somebody better. Therefore, I should be aware of the sustainability of my dedication and the consequences of my sacrifice.

- Understanding what I want and the things I enjoy doing. This isn't easy, especially during my younger days. One of my mentors told me to observe the task or job I enjoy the most - the type of task where I naturally flow, oblivious of the time passing by. I should aim for roles or positions where I thrive and align with what I want, either short, medium, or long-term.

- Knowing the consequences of every option when making decisions. After my MBA, I was presented with different options and unsure of which direction I should go. I called one of my mentors to get his insight on how I should proceed in my next steps. I still remember what he said, “It’s important you know and understand the consequences of your available options that would help you decide whether you want to pursue it or not. It doesn’t mean the easiest option is the best solution; sometimes the hardest option is the best solution in the long run”.

- Managing my emotions is the highest act of professionalism I can display in stressful situations. When I was a young professional, my emotions were transparent in my facial expressions. I learned how to manage my emotions to remain calm, diplomatic, and under control even in the most stressful situations.

- Stand my ground as long as it’s based on principle. In my early 20s, I participated in meetings with Top Managers in our company which was terrifying for somebody inexperienced like me, especially in a culture that embraces hierarchy. One of my mentors told me to fear not by standing my ground as long as it’s based on principle. Nobody in the world, even the company's CEO, can question my principles because these are personal standards.

- Talking to Top Executives is one of the best ways to elevate my communication skill. Talking to Top Executives can be a daunting task especially when you’re just establishing a profesional identity. In my 20’s I was tasked to invite 2 Directors and 3 Associate Directors for a meeting. My mind was blown with questions. What would I say when I send the invite? What are we going to discuss? How do I introduce myself? Inviting a Top executive for a coffee or lunch alone by itself already elevates my communication skill.

I was happy I did this exercise. I observed how Top Executives structure their thought process, articulate sentences mindful of word usage, and deliver a clear message. I also gained a good confidence level from these meetings.

These are a few lessons I’ve learned that I continued to apply in my personal and professional life. I still get in touch with my mentors, which has become two-way; they also learn from me.