Mentoring in the BLM

Planting the Future

Why Mentoring in the BLM

Benefits for All!!1. New employees – information, “how to”2. Future leaders – feedback, perspective,

advice, networking3. Senior leaders – good for BLM,

knowledge mgmt, retention4. BLM – maintain vision, mission, public

service

W I I F M ?

• “So……….What’s In It For Me??

• Opportunity

• Exposure

• Perspective

• Follow-up

• Motivating You to Take Action

Mentor - Credibility and Trust

• Who am I?• Who are my mentors? Melissa and Glenn

• Who are my peer coaches? Steve and Erick

• Why am I here talking to you? • What can you expect from me?• What do I expect from you?

Mentor

• Odysseus had a son, Telemachus

• Odysseus had a trusted friend, Mentor

Mentors – Motivating!!A “Catalyst” for success!!!

• Worried about failure • Quit worrying – Work!

There are three ways to learn

• Reflection – which is most sublime

• Imitation – the easiest• Experience – the most

bitter

Confucius

BLM Mentors - Networking

• Sherian Long, former Human Resources Officer, CA

• “Willingness to step out of comfort zone”• “Determined to be the best”• “Technical instructor”• “Honed communication skills”• “Benefited from Elaine Brong

and Jim Abbott

BLM Mentors - Reality

• Bill Dean, Wildlife Biologist, OR

• “Not shy in asking for advice”

• “My wife is my most

active mentor”

• “Family, Friends, Professors

BLM Mentors –Opportunity

“Ability without opportunity is wasted”

Sally Wisely – State Director

• As Chief of Public Affairs in New Mexico

“Exposure to State Director”

** Gained trust

** Reality about BLM statewide

** Earned confidence of SD and gained self confidence

Exemplary Leadership

• How does one learn to make decisions?

“Be around decision makers”

Dwight Eisenhower

Mentorship Questions

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

• ASD’s, DSD’s

• Peers

• Family

• Other agency

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!

• Here………and There!

• Mentorship is dynamic.

ongoing, changing

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 - ?? for your Mentor

• “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’?

My Career Goals

• Exciting! Stimulating! Challenging!

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

BLM Mentors

• 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!”

My Goals

• I am now a ____________________

• I would like to be a _____________

by this date____________________

and I will do the following to help me

_____________________________

_____________________________

My Mentorship Goals

• I will contact__________, ___________, ______________, and _____________, by

this date___________.Name__________ Phone____________

Who Should be Mentors

• Know and understand BLM

• Desire to be Mentors

• Expertise

• Known, respected, trusted

• Connected

• Comfortable as a Mentor

• Fair and Equitable

BLM Mentors

• “Been there – done that”

• Diverse backgrounds• Diverse experiences• Proven Performers• Respected• Value BLM & its

mission

BLM Mentors

• Gayle Sitter – Wildlife Lead, Montana• “Allowed me to develop as biologist”

• “Give encouragement and enthusiasm”• “Value of working with people”• “Don’t teach them.

Teach them to think.”

May I Recommend….

How Leaders become Leaders

• Warren Bennis – USC

1. Challenges – faced and overcame

2. Learned through mistakes

3. Observed bosses – good and bad

4. Leadership “tripod” – ambition,

expertise, and integrity

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

Leadership in the BLM

• What is the BLM looking for?

• What are the “keys”

to my success?

• Is there a “leadership

list?”

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

Things I Can Do

• 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

Mentorship examples – one last story

• Jesse Owens – 1936 Olympics, Nazi Germany

Jesse Owens

Owens nearly missed qualifying in the long jump. His toughest opponent, a German named Luz 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

Luz 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