mentoring in the blm planting the future e. m. cobb blm colorado
Post on 22-Dec-2015
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Mentoring in the BLM
Planting the Future
E. M. Cobb
BLM Colorado
BLM Mission Statement
• It is the mission of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
Present and Future
• Supervisors – you are present leadership -
knowledge, culture, policies• Mentored – they are the future leadership
-
ambition, mobility, desire
So – my question to you:
“Do you have the passion to sustain the future of the BLM?”
Why Support Mentoring in the BLM?
Benefits for All!!1. New hires – eager, receptive, easily
frustrated, need “brought into the fold”2. Mid-career leaders – feedback, lessons
learned, advice, networking3. Senior leaders – corporate knowledge,
political insights, perspective, career guidance and networking
W I I F M ?
“So……….What’s In It For Me??• Opportunity to help • Perspective • Motivate others to excel• Benefit the BLM• Leadership
Mentor
• Odysseus had a son, Telemachus• Odysseus had a trusted friend, Mentor
There are three ways to learn
• Reflection – which is most sublime
• Imitation – the easiest• Experience – the most
bitter
Confucius
Sally Wisely – Perspective
• As Chief of Public Affairs in New Mexico
“State Director’s Perspective”
** Gained trust
** Earned confidence of SD and gained self confidence
** Encouraged to take risks & grow
Exemplary Leadership
• How does one learn to make decisions?
“By being around decision makers”
Dwight David Eisenhower
Mentorship Perspective
Mentors can offer perspectives.
“If everybody is thinking the same, then nobody is thinking!”
Patton
Mentors
• Who can mentor me?• Why do I need one?• Where can I find one?• How can I use a mentor?• What can they help me with?• When to get a mentor?
Who Can Mentor Me?
• Program Leads• Field Managers• ASDs, DSDs • Peers• Family• Other agency
Who Should be Mentors
• Know and understand BLM • Desire to be Mentors• Proven expertise• Known, respected, trusted• Connected• Comfortable as a Mentor• Fair and Equitable
Why Do I Need a Mentor?
• Direction• Feedback• Honesty• Networking• Cheerleading!!• Perspective
Where Can I Find One?
• Field, State or WO Office• Training Center• Other Agencies• College• Retirees• Bottom line –
You Need to Ask!!!
How Can I Use a Mentor?
• “Hey, I’ve got a question?”
“My mentor had an answer!”
What Can They Help Me With?
• Introductions• Organizational Culture• Counseling & Feedback• Opportunities – details, courses, meetings• Career planning recommendations• Networking
When to get a Mentor?
• Now• Then• And Then Again!• Mentorship is dynamic,
ongoing, changing.
Mentors Motivate others to:
• Volunteer for a collateral duty• Take a detail• Learn someone else’s job• Toastmasters• Be positive• “Shine your light”
• Job shadow• Learn about recruiting and hiring• Pathways, Emerging Leaders, Leadership
Academy• Take the “hard job”• Be a teamplayer
BLM Mentors – Encourage Opportunity
“Ability without opportunity is wasted”
Mentorship Expectations
• What do you as mentee expect?• What does the mentor expect?• Time limitations? • How shall we “chat?” e-mail, telephone?• “In this relationship, I am looking for….?”
Expectations – Questions for Mentorship
• “What do I need to be successful now?”• “Should I consider a move? A detail?”• “What do you see as my strengths? My
weaknesses? My talents?”• “Who can help me in other areas?”• “I’m considering ‘xyz’, who has been
successful at ‘xyz’?”
Goals – Write Them Down
Harvard Seniors – Goals• 83% no goals, 14% verbal goals
and only 3% had written goals• 10 years later – 14% made 3 times $$$$
and the 3% made 10 times the $$$$• The “take away” – Write down your goals
My Goals
• I am now a ____________________• I would like to be a _____________
by this date____________________
and I will do the following to help me
_____________________________
_____________________________
BLM Mentors
• “Been there – done that”
• Diverse backgrounds• Diverse experiences• Proven performers• Respected• Value BLM & its
mission
BLM Mentors – Benefit the BLM
• Rosey Thomas, Field Manager, Idaho• BLM’s first woman FMO• “life experience is critical”• “diverse perspectives”• “active mentoring positively
benefits both parties”
“Next Job…..State Director!”
BLM Mentors – Benefit the BLM
• Gayle Sitter – Wildlife Lead, Montana• “Allowed me to develop as biologist”• “Gave me encouragement and enthusiasm”• “Value of working with people”• Mentor Moment: “Don’t teach them.
Teach them to think.”
Leadership in the BLM
• What is the BLM looking for?• What are the “keys”
to my success?• Is there a “leadership
list?”
The Evolution of the CEO – the 5 Steps
• Rodgers – Leadership consultant
1. Find a mentor – network, navigate, news
2. Lead a team – get promoted
3. Communicate results
4. Seek wise counsel
5. Manage your time well
Executive Core Qualifications
• Leading Change – goals, priorities• Leading People – nurturing, encouraging• Results Driven – accountability, ongoing
improvement
• Business Acumen – using human, financial, material resources
• Building Coalitions and Communications – networking, teambuilding
Mentorship examples – one last story
• Jesse Owens – 1936 Olympics, Nazi Germany
Jesse Owens – Motivating others to excel
Owens nearly missed qualifying in the long jump. His toughest opponent, a German named Lutz Long, gave Owens advice that helped him advance. Lutz was the first to shake his hand when Owens earned the gold. (The winning jump)
Jesse Owens
Lutz Long & Jesse Owens
• "It took a lot of courage for him to befriend me in front of Hitler," Owens said.
• Long used a towel to “mentor” Jesse to success
What Mentorship is NOT
• “BFF” – best friends forever• Sponsorship – bypass meritocracy
Thank You for Your Time
• Questions?