Mentee Alicia Cook (left) and mentor Caroline Banhidy (right) share their EO mentorship journey.
In the dynamic world of business, where challenges and opportunities coexist in a delicate balance, mentorship emerges as a beacon of guidance and growth. EO Melbourne's Mentorship Program exemplifies this by pairing seasoned business leaders with chapter members, fostering an environment of resilience and mutual learning.
Today, we explore the inspiring journey of Alicia Cook, Managing Director at Emerson Health, and her mentor, Caroline Banhidy, Board Chair at Foresters Financial. Through their shared experience, we uncover the profound impact of mentorship, illustrating how a robust mentor-mentee relationship can facilitate both personal and professional metamorphosis, driving individuals to new heights of achievement and fulfilment.
The Beginning of a Transformative Journey
Although both Alicia and Caroline were no strangers to mentorship and coaching, their participation in EO Melbourne’s Mentorship Program marked their inaugural journey into this specific program. Reflecting on their initial encounters, Alicia praised Caroline’s guidance, “Caroline's amazing, and I think 80% of it is who you get matched with. I feel grateful that she put her hand up to be a mentor.”
On the other hand, Caroline underscored the importance of commitment, a vital ingredient for effective mentorship. “Both people must commit, show up, and do the work in between. That's the key to a successful mentorship,” she asserted.
As Alicia and Caroline delved deeper into their mentorship relationship, they discovered numerous commonalities that solidified their bond as mentee and mentor, respectively. Both navigated the challenges of being sole parents while excelling in the consulting profession. Alicia drew parallels between their journey and Joseph Campbell's Heroic Journey, elucidating, “It is the idea that a mentor is someone who's gone before you. Caroline fits the bill perfectly because she's just like me but with more experience under her belt.”
Facing Challenges and Achieving Growth
When Alicia joined the program, she was at a low point in her business, seeking guidance on whether to rebuild her current venture or embark on a new path. “During my initial conversation with Mentorship Chair Tom Ormerod, I reckon my business was in the throes of rock bottom. A whole heap of events happened in the last 18 months that took the wind out of its sails,” she shared.
Caroline’s mentorship proved invaluable for Alicia, especially during critical junctures, as it helped her prioritise and make informed decisions. Drawing from her past experiences and mistakes, Caroline offered Alicia priceless insights that were the catalyst of significant growth and progress over the year.
Alicia likened her experience to climbing a steep mountain, yet to be at the top, but well on her way. On the other hand, Caroline felt like she was in a hot air balloon that offered a perspective of the landscape, cheering Alicia on.
Mutual Learning and Positive Outcomes
Updating the mentorship sheet to review goals, focus areas, successes, and unresolved issues emerged as a crucial practice in their mentorship sessions. Alicia learned to manage her tendency to overload herself, valuing Caroline’s no-nonsense approach in pointing it out. This enabled her to accept that some challenges take longer to resolve, “and sometimes they all come together quickly,” she said. “In February this year, an incredible amount happened, but it took six months of grinding to bring everything together,” she added.
Their journey underscored the reciprocal nature of mentorship. Caroline, inspired by Alicia’s resilience, tenacity, and planning, found the experience enriching, prompting her to reflect on and improve her own practices as well. Their structured approach to meetings, focusing on goals and progress, ensured their sessions were productive and focused on achieving tangible outcomes. Caroline shared, “It equally gives me a kick in the pants to lift my game because it's easy to get complacent.”
The Beauty of the Mentorship Program
Regarding EO’s Mentorship Program, Alicia emphasised the benefits of a coaching relationship for both parties, noting that the experience is not solely focused on what a mentee might get from the experience. Caroline highlighted the program’s value in providing a space for sharing and learning without competition. “It’s almost like mindfulness. The value lies in sharing your wealth of experience, creating a synergy where 1 plus 1 equals 3, especially when somebody else might not have access to that knowledge,” she said, describing the sessions as both relaxing and powerful.
Both agreed that the mentorship journey is a process – it might not yield immediate results, but over time, the impact can be profound. For anyone considering joining EO Melbourne’s mentorship programme, Alicia and Caroline’s experience is a testament to its transformative potential. It’s more than just a professional relationship; it’s a journey of shared learning and mutual inspiration.
