Why did you decide to become a mentor?
I decided to become a mentor because I love seeing the positive impact that guidance and support can have on people lives as well as teams. Initially, I started by mentoring people within my teams, scrum masters, and then I moved to IT company managers. It was amazing to see how going through their topics transformed their work as well as their lives for the better. As I moved into consulting, my perspective and expertise grew even more, and I became even more passionate about mentoring. Now, I'm focused on sharing my experiences and helping more people navigate the challenges of managing agile teams, soft skills and personal growth. It's been incredibly rewarding to watch others grow and succeed, and it has enriched my career in ways I never expected.
How did you get your career start?
I kicked off my career with a background in applied IT informatics and IT management. This education set me up with the technical and managerial skills I needed. My first big role was as a Project Manager, where I sharpened my leadership and organizational skills. I then moved into a Scrum Master role, diving deep into agile methodologies, which I found really exciting and most rewarding, delivering working software frequently. Thanks to the success of the teams I worked with, I soon started leading other Scrum Masters within the company. Along the way, I've had some fantastic mentors who guided and inspired me, helping me find my footing and thrive in the agile world. Their support and the experiences I've gained have been key to shaping my career path.
What do mentees usually come to you for?
Mentees usually come to me for help with issues they face with their teams, understanding the scrum framework, and building their confidence as leaders. They often need advice on setting up and managing their teams better, as well as finding ways to improve team performance. They also look to me for new insights and information on agile practices that they're not familiar with. In my mentorships, I keep things structured but flexible to fit each person's needs. We start by pinpointing their main challenges and setting clear goals. From there, I share practical advice, experiences, and tools to help them tackle their issues. Mentees can expect a supportive space where they can openly discuss their problems and get another perspective and real-life examples from other companies. I aim to give them the knowledge, support and confidence to lead their teams effectively and master agile methodologies.
What's been your favourite mentorship success story so far?
One of my favourite mentorship success stories involves a Product Owner I mentored who eventually grew into the position of CEO. When we first started working together, and even though our team faced several challenges we have achieved great successes with our product. Through our sessions, we focused on working with the team, planning the future, improving the process and bringing customer feedback to the team. What was the core of our collaboration was also very good understanding of the scrum framework, and honed his leadership skills. His dedication and willingness to apply what he learned were truly impressive.
What are you getting out of being a mentor?
Being a mentor brings me so much joy, especially seeing others reach their goals and thrive. It's incredibly rewarding to watch mentees grow in confidence, skill, and leadership. This process not only helps them but also sharpens my own abilities as a leader and coach. Mentoring has really boosted my career by deepening my understanding of agile practices and improving my communication skills. Plus, the connections I've made with these amazing people have enriched my life in so many ways. We often exchange ideas and perspectives, which broadens my own knowledge and experience. Seeing the impact of my guidance on others’ success stories keeps me motivated and passionate about what I do. Overall, being a mentor has been a fantastic journey, reinforcing my love for continuous learning and growth.