Women & Ships

No, we're not discussing the Below Deck reality show, a cruise line, or a college crew team.

The month of May at SOS is all about leadership and mentorship.

They two are closely connected.

Through mentorship (if it's effective), we learn and grow as individuals and professionals.

As our careers and lives grow, we often learn to provide effective direction and inspire others. That's where leadership comes in. The people around us (whether they are friends, colleagues, or direct reports) start to look to us for clarity, insights, and motivation.

Dictatorial and dysfunctional leaders can create confusion, havoc, and the polar opposite of positive results, sending others into the world with anxiety and fear.

We need both those "ships" in our boat garages as we navigate through work and life.

Mentorship

Mentors can be any age (older or younger than you), in a different industry, or in another country.

The best mentors can help you make decisions, tell you stories that inspire you, teach you new skills, or even calm you down when you're freaking out over something they may have already lived through. Here are some simple ways to figure out what you need and who might be the right "match" in a mentor/mentee relationship,

A mentor can be someone in your circle for life or just at a particular point in time. Both parties should benefit from the relationship. Accountability and respect for the other person's time, heart, and insights are also key parts of a mentor-mentee interaction.

Here's why having a mentor (especially as a woman) is so critical today.

Leadership

Leadership skills are handy even if you never want to be "the boss" at work. As parents (including those with fur babies) and consumers, we often find ourselves in situations where we have to influence others to take action.

Search "Leadership Skills," and you'll find a wide range of lists, ranging from 5 to 15 "essential" competencies.

For the sake of simplicity, here's a list of 10. You'll see that many have nothing to do with sitting in a corner office (or the virtual equivalent of that space). As long as you're living in a world where you have to interact with others -- on projects or managing a huge team -- these skills will come in handy throughout your life.

Board the Ships!

Throughout May, we'll be posting about topics related to mentorship, leadership, friendship, sponsorships, and relationships and how they can impact your day-to-day and long-term performance inside and outside work.

So, peek inside our portholes and enjoy the journey! (We will avoid icebergs at all costs, but if you need help, please shout "Mayday" to SOS. Part of our mission is to provide guidance and wisdom to women at all stages of their lives.)

We'd also love to hear from YOU about the mentors and leaders who helped you navigate your life and careers! Please get in touch about being a guest contributor!