Peer thinking – clear thinking

I learnt a great peer mentoring process about 15 years ago that still stands the test of time.

It worked a treat with the Leaders in Lockdown program run by the highly respected MBA program at La Trobe Business School.

I was a guest mentor recently. As the leaders filed into the virtual breakout room, I wondered what I could do with a group that I'd never met before that would be valuable for them. 

I didn’t know them, their sectors or even what country they were from.

I rifled through my tool kit. Aha! All we needed was one problem and we were off. 

A community leader, let’s call her Pilar, asked me for advice on how to talk with her team about the fact that they found themselves suddenly working in one of Melbourne’s pandemic hotspots. 

Challenging.

Although her question was directed at me, I shifted it in the direction of the 16 or so other faces staring back at both of us. 

What a fabulous resource they turned out to be – as you’d expect from such leaders.

Pilar frantically jotted down their suggestions, questions and advice drawn from their considerable collective experience.

I love drawing out people's best thinking. It’s energising and empowering, both for the mentor and the mentee. 

Thanks to Jennifer Spoor for the opportunity.

If you are a leader in an organisation and you would like to draw out your people’s best thinking, comment below and we’ll organise a chat.

Photo credit: Jacinta Cubis