1. TAG Mentoring Program:
Your chance to impact the next
generation of leaders
Jim Rutt, CIO, Dana Foundation
TAG Conference, St Petersburg Beach, FL
2. My Background
20 Years in technology
16 Years in leadership roles.
Wide vertical experience in Finance, Healthcare,
Pharmaceutical and Nonprofit.
Wide board/advisory board experience.
Helped develop informal and formal mentoring
programs for a number of organizations.
TAG Mentoring Program
November 15, 2016
3. IT Career Crossroads
“Should I stay technical for the rest of my career, or
move towards leadership?”
There is no right or wrong answer to this!
However, for those looking to move, there are
considerations and/or preparations needed
However, leadership isn’t something you can learn
about by simply reading leadership guides or taking
AMA courses.
And that’s where mentoring steps into play….
TAG Mentoring Program
November 15, 2016
4. What is Mentoring?
A developmental partnership through which one
person shares knowledge, skills, information, and
perspective to foster the personal and professional
growth of another
The power of mentoring is that it creates a one-of-a-
kind opportunity for collaboration, goal achievement,
and problem solving.
It is a safe place to discuss problems and issues
TAG Mentoring Program
November 15, 2016
5. Mentoring vs. Coaching
Coaching is typically used in the onset of employment to
onboard and acclimate an employee to their working
environment. Mentoring is more appropriate once this has
happened.
Coaching typically happens within the lines of reporting.
Mentoring relationships are not within the lines of reporting.
Coaching in some cases may employ or infer some disciplinary
methods consistent with lines of reporting. A mentoring
relationship does not use disciplinary methods.
TAG Mentoring Program
November 15, 2016
6. What Mentoring is Not!
It is NOT:
Job Search
Networking
Recruiting
Life coaching
Technical Training
TAG Mentoring Program
November 15, 2016
8. Benefits of TAG mentoring
program for mentor and mentee
Mentor:
Increases experience in an area peripheral to daily routine
Expansion of communication skills
Provides inner fulfillment from helping others (altruistic).
Making a difference in the career of the mentee and our profession at
large.
Mentee:
Professional development/career advancement
Greater self-awareness which is critical to leadership development
Confidence builder
Encourages creative and independent thinking
TAG Mentoring Program
November 15, 2016
9. Benefits for TAG
Cross-pollination of experiences and ideas
across multiple disciplines can lead to new
ideas
Increases retention and promotes diversity
Feedback gained from the program can
lead to new sources of knowledge and
possibly new benefits for the whole of TAG
membership.
TAG Mentoring Program
November 15, 2016
10. General Guidelines for TAG Mentoring
Program
Applications (mentors and mentees)
Matching of mentor and mentee
Formal goals documents/mentoring agreements are signed to
enforce accountability.
First meeting should confirm goals and to-do’s
Scheduling of regular meetings, typically one hour a month.
Duration of program: about 10 months.
Feedback to oversight committee on a quarterly basis
At the end of the mentoring period, a final report to the TAG
mentoring committee.
TAG Mentoring Program
November 15, 2016
11. General Guidelines for TAG Mentoring
Program(cont’d)
The Mentor/Mentee Relationship…
Is “Mentee-Driven”
Establish learning agenda
Drive the process
Maintain focus on Goal Attainment
Is “Mentor-Guided”
Listen
Ask questions
Offer practical advice
Work with mentee to develop a strategy leading to Goal
Attainment
Not about directing Mentee “what to do”
TAG Mentoring Program
November 15, 2016
12. Good Mentors
• Creates an environment of mutual respect and trust
that encourages the mentee to learn and grow.
• Reviews mentee goals and assist in achieving
those goals.
• Builds rapport and trust, agree on results; develop
skills; debrief; reevaluate, and repeat.
• Maintain confidentiality throughout the relationship.
TAG Mentoring Program
November 15, 2016
13. Good Mentees
• Are trustworthy and keep confidences
• Exhibit openness and honesty
• Are introspective
• Can admit mistakes and share failures
• Are realistic in their expectations
• Are accountable for own developmentintain
confidentiality throughout the relationship.
TAG Mentoring Program
November 15, 2016
14. Pilot for TAG Mentoring Program
Mentor: Jim Rutt, Dana Foundation
Mentee: Jose Diaz, Rockefeller Foundation.
Series of 10 meetings over a six month period from winter to fall
2016.
Completed in October 2016
Quotes from Jose at conclusion:
“The TAG mentoring experience was a phenomenal way
for me to pivot from a tactical mindset to a strategic
mindset.”
“Being able to discuss challenges of current projects with
Jim resulted in some very creative solutions.”
TAG Mentoring Program
November 15, 2016
15. Common Reasons Mentoring Fails
Lack of Commitment and Accountability
Misalignment of Goals and Expectations
Failure to Build a Relationship Early On
Unanticipated Pairing Challenges
Breach of Confidentiality
TAG Mentoring Program
November 15, 2016
16. Great! How do I get involved?
http://www.tagtech.org/mentor
There, you can download applications to
the program (Mentor or Mentee) and also
the program handbook containing more
specific guidelines to the program.
TAG Mentoring Program
November 15, 2016
17. Final Thoughts
"By three methods we may learn wisdom; first,
by reflection, which is the noblest; second, by
imitation, which is easiest and third, by
experience, which is the most bitter."-
Confucius
TAG Mentoring Program
November 15, 2016