As an Aspire, I had the opportunity to attend a Mentorship Panel with Microsoft Canada’s Senior Executives and learn about the importance of mentorship. Inspired by the impact that they’ve made in their careers, I listened intensely to the words of wisdom that came from decades of growth, experience, and reflection.

Following up to Kevin Peesker’s What To Look For In a Mentor, I am excited to share the thoughts and perspectives from Alec Taylor, VP of Industry Solutions Consulting at Microsoft Canada.

Mentorship happens in moments over time… it is not a big bang.

One of the first things you need to do is to know yourself. As an introvert himself, Alec shares what a day in the life is like compared to those who are extroverts:

• Introverts start the day fully energized! Every interaction depletes energy, so introverts need to find time throughout the day to think, reflect and recharge.
• Extroverts build energy throughout the day! Every interaction builds ideas, momentum and energy! .

These are two very different approaches to human interaction, but one is not better than the other. Always be open about who you are and create or find the right environment to thrive in. At the end of the day, “knowing yourself” and being your authentic self matters most.  

It’s also important to recognize that mindset is everything. How do you train your brain to be your best when it matters most? To be calm and composed? To build grit and resiliency? To be optimistic in the face of uncertainty? Fear, and the fear of failure, is one of the biggest impediments to realizing your potential. One of Alec’s tips is a simple mindset shift – he likes to look at every problem or crisis as a “fascinating, intellectual challenge” – as something new and exciting that he can tackle, learn and collaborate with others!

As you continue learning to know yourself and mastering your mindset, please be patient and compassionate with yourself. Alec claims that he has never met a generation of people who are so hard on themselves and stressed out! There’s a fine balance between planning and intentionality; just remember to cut yourself some slack, enjoy the ride, embrace it, and take it all in.

And then mentorship happens when you least expect it… over time. The best mentorships are informal, and the best mentors will calm you down, keep you present, and let you think for yourself.

The concept of Reverse Mentorship highlights the fearful vs. fearless mentality. Alec says that his generation had a rigid respect for hierarchy that held them back, while the younger generations are more open to trying new things.

Lastly, Alec highlights the differences between mentorship, coaching, and sponsorship:

• Mentorship helps you determine where to go next
• Coaching helps you get good at something
• Sponsorship allows you to get other opportunities

Life happens when you’re making plans.

Thank you to Alec for sharing these thoughts from a fascinating and fulfilling career. Please stay tuned for the next posts in this Mentorship Moments @ Microsoft Series featuring Zia Mansoor – VP Customer Success, and Suzanne Gagliese – VP Global Partner Solutions.

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Credit: Image source from Ryerson here