Mentorship programme for leaders - One of many opportunities at AFRY
To promote learning, personal development, and a positive corporate culture
In the consulting industry, leadership holds paramount importance. For a consultant, their immediate manager may be one of the few relationships they have with their employer. Therefore, it is crucial to have a leader who understands the needs of the employees and can provide the right kind of support.
At AFRY, we have competent leaders. We have recognised the opportunity to utilise our leaders' expertise and commendable leadership culture and share it with others. That's why we decided to create a mentorship programme where we can share our knowledge and experience within the organisation.
"The purpose of the programme is mutual learning and personal development for the participants, to enhance self-awareness and grow as leaders, and, of course, to build a network within the organisation," explains Erika Falkemark, VP and Head of HR at Industrial & Digital Solutions, and one of the programme's owners.
Another objective is to clarify career paths, strengthen leadership succession, and promote a positive corporate culture. It's about being generous with one's time and experience. Both the mentor and the mentee will learn from each other.
"By having more present and courageous leaders, we become more attractive in the job market and, even more importantly, an employer so appealing that our employees want to stay," says Erika.
The influence of mentorship early in the career
One of the participants in the programme is Perjohan Säfström. Early in his career, he had a mentor who became a significant asset.
"Having a mentor early in my professional life was incredibly valuable. Through her experience and guidance, I dared to try new things and progressed in my development and career," shares Perjohan.
Through mentorship, he gained the courage to explore new opportunities, which paved the way for his growth and success in his career.
"My mentor was a great source of inspiration and a sounding board who helped me set my goals and dare to challenge myself," says Perjohan.
Are you familiar with the benefits of mentorship?
- A robust mentorship programme can help establish a meaningful connection between the organisation and the individual aspirations of its employees, leading to a thriving workplace culture.
- Employees are happy, committed, and productive when their individual needs align with the organisation's goals.
- Mentorship benefits the organisation by enhancing job satisfaction and tenure while facilitating personal and professional development for the mentors.
- Diversity and inclusion are significant challenges in today's workplaces, and mentorship programmes have proven to be the most successful in promoting diversity.
Source: Forbes.
