Mentoring

As the end of another scholastic year approaches, the time comes to, as they say, 'pass the torch' to the next class of students and to look ahead to the future that awaits. An integral part of a successful transition in any organization - whether it be social or professional, is a prepared and informed successor leadership group that can step in to do the job without missing a step. In order for the incoming group to be in a position to take over, however, they must be provided with enough mentoring and counseling from the current leadership group to make an effective transition possible.

Take, for example, an outgoing executive board of one of Smeal's many business organizations. Throughout the year, the organization's leaders will develop a network of contacts, a plethora of experiences, and an abundance of insight that helped make the year a successful one. For the organization to be able to continue to grow, they must efficiently and effectively pass along this information to the next President and his/her fellow board. This process can occur formally at or near the time of the transition or informally at events throughout the year, but both serve their own important roles in establishing a confident leadership group that will be prepared for the upcoming year.

At PricewaterhouseCoopers, mentoring and information sharing are concepts that are at the heart of our core competencies. From the formal Mentoring and Coaching programs that are in place to help develop our Interns and New hires to the informal, everyday coaching that occurs in our audit rooms, Sharing and Collaborating is what allows PwC, and our people, to grow. As our experienced and senior associates and managers move on to new opportunities within the Company, they must be succeeded by colleagues that have been prepared to take over their responsibilities.

Now it's your turn to tell us what you think. Have there been any times or experiences in which Sharing and Collaborating has helped you through a difficult situation? What roles have mentors played in your lives?