2 minutes
The CUES Podcast Episode 48 show notes
Why is mentoring important? That is the question I asked my guest Kathy Flynn, SVP/service operations at Golden 1 Credit Union, Sacramento, Calif., during episode 48 of the CUES Podcast.
"I have had mentors since the beginning of my career as a teller in North Dakota," she said. "Now that I'm at Golden 1, I still have many mentors. It's so important because it helps you grow professionally. It teaches you to navigate difficult situations and learn how to grow leadership skills that might not be native to you. And generally, it just provides people with invaluable career advice that you can't get from a book."
What makes a good mentor relationship? It should be reciprocal, Flynn said.
"Mentor relationships are not just top down. They can be peer-to-peer or outside your organization. A lot of times you don't even realize you're being mentored until you look back on your career."
Why should you be a mentor? "The best part is watching your mentee grow, she said. "It's extremely rewarding to watch someone grow professionally, even if it's outside the industry."
My discussion with Kathy is part of CU Management's new Advancing Women publication. The first issue, which is all digital, explores the importance of mentoring, the challenges for women in IT and whether your credit union could have a #metoo issue.
Check out our exciting new publication and listen to my interview with Kathy. Highlights from that interview include:
a) the value of mentorship;
b) some of the challenges that mentorship may bring; and
c) the different types of mentorship for you to consider.
The CUES podcast is an audio program hosted by James Lenz, CUES professional development manager. James talks to credit union and cross-industry experts for their perspectives on trends and topics that matter to you.
