Nora Gomez speaking at the WithIt Annual Conference in Kansas City.
KANSAS CITY – Nora Gomez, the president of NGG: Next Generation Growth, a retail strategy and executive coaching consultancy, shared her thoughts about mentorship during the WithIt Annual Conference this week in Kansas City.
Gomez is known internationally as a transformational leader of high-performing teams and is a passionate leader, coach and mentor to people both inside and outside of the home furnishings industry.
“Mentoring can mean so many things,” Gomez told the audience. “The foundation of mentoring can be found in traditional mentoring as well as mentoring programs, corporate mentoring and peer mentorship. One of the things I love is reverse mentoring. I learn as much from my mentee as she learns from me.”
See also:
Gomez said the mentorship process helps both participants to stay relevant.
“Mentoring helps to enhance your personal growth and gain confidence,” she said. “It is essential for today’s competitive landscape. In this time of the unknown, you need to have the confidence to be able to pivot and stay agile.”
While it is hard work for both the mentor and the mentee, Gomez said it is imperative to set clear goals during the process and to remain adaptable. Professionals often thrive through mentorship since it fosters self-discovery and resilience.
“We are often so focused on climbing the ladder, but at the end of the day, what is it doing for you both professionally and personally?” she asked. “It’s more important to seek out the mentor who will take you to the promised land.”
Not all mentoring has to be formalized, according to Gomez. She suggests finding multiple mentors with different specific areas of knowledge.
“Maybe invite them to coffee. But don’t harass them with a constant stream of questions,” she said. “You can send them a quick question via text or email and, of course, remember to thank them for their advice. Most of these types of mentoring relationships are digital.”
Gomez also recommended that young professionals look for different kinds of mentors, along with traditional mentors, including coaches, leaders and she discussed the importance of having a personal board of directors.
“This a group of trusted advisors who provide guidance, feedback and strategic insights to help you negotiate personal and professional decisions,” Gomez said while adding that people need to remember that mentoring equals networking.
“People need to remember to be their authentic selves when making these connections. Don’t be afraid to show who you are.”
There is also a role for sponsors in professional relationships, according to Gomez. These people go beyond the role of a mentor or coach to actively promote an individual’s career advancement. She shared the common belief in business that you need to “surround yourself with people who fight for you in rooms that you aren’t in.”
As one of the few female C-level executives in one of her former roles, Gomez said, the fact that her male C-level colleagues had her back made a world of difference.
“At the C level, it was their duty to represent me in meetings I wasn’t in,” she added.
Finally, Gomez suggested that young professionals can learn about the home furnishings industry in less high-tech ways, such as through reading biographies, autobiographies and using media to keep up with changes in the industry.