Mentoring in the BLM

Planting the Future

E. M. Cobb

BLM Colorado

BLM Mission Statement

• It is the mission of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Present and Future

• Supervisors – you are present leadership -

knowledge, culture, policies• Mentored – they are the future leadership

-

ambition, mobility, desire

So – my question to you:

“Do you have the passion to sustain the future of the BLM?”

Why Support Mentoring in the BLM?

Benefits for All!!1. New hires – eager, receptive, easily

frustrated, need “brought into the fold”2. Mid-career leaders – feedback, lessons

learned, advice, networking3. Senior leaders – corporate knowledge,

political insights, perspective, career guidance and networking

W I I F M ?

“So……….What’s In It For Me??• Opportunity to help • Perspective • Motivate others to excel• Benefit the BLM• Leadership

Mentor

• Odysseus had a son, Telemachus• Odysseus had a trusted friend, Mentor

There are three ways to learn

• Reflection – which is most sublime

• Imitation – the easiest• Experience – the most

bitter

Confucius

Sally Wisely – Perspective

• As Chief of Public Affairs in New Mexico

“State Director’s Perspective”

** Gained trust

** Earned confidence of SD and gained self confidence

** Encouraged to take risks & grow

Exemplary Leadership

• How does one learn to make decisions?

“By being around decision makers”

Dwight David Eisenhower

Mentorship Perspective

Mentors can offer perspectives.

“If everybody is thinking the same, then nobody is thinking!”

Patton

Mentors

• Who can mentor me?• Why do I need one?• Where can I find one?• How can I use a mentor?• What can they help me with?• When to get a mentor?

Who Can Mentor Me?

• Program Leads• Field Managers• ASDs, DSDs • Peers• Family• Other agency

Who Should be Mentors

• Know and understand BLM • Desire to be Mentors• Proven expertise• Known, respected, trusted• Connected• Comfortable as a Mentor• Fair and Equitable

Why Do I Need a Mentor?

• Direction• Feedback• Honesty• Networking• Cheerleading!!• Perspective

Where Can I Find One?

• Field, State or WO Office• Training Center• Other Agencies• College• Retirees• Bottom line –

You Need to Ask!!!

How Can I Use a Mentor?

• “Hey, I’ve got a question?”

“My mentor had an answer!”

What Can They Help Me With?

• Introductions• Organizational Culture• Counseling & Feedback• Opportunities – details, courses, meetings• Career planning recommendations• Networking

When to get a Mentor?

• Now• Then• And Then Again!• Mentorship is dynamic,

ongoing, changing.

Mentors Motivate others to:

• Volunteer for a collateral duty• Take a detail• Learn someone else’s job• Toastmasters• Be positive• “Shine your light”

• Job shadow• Learn about recruiting and hiring• Pathways, Emerging Leaders, Leadership

Academy• Take the “hard job”• Be a teamplayer

BLM Mentors – Encourage Opportunity

“Ability without opportunity is wasted”

Mentorship Expectations

• What do you as mentee expect?• What does the mentor expect?• Time limitations? • How shall we “chat?” e-mail, telephone?• “In this relationship, I am looking for….?”

Expectations – Questions for Mentorship

• “What do I need to be successful now?”• “Should I consider a move? A detail?”• “What do you see as my strengths? My

weaknesses? My talents?”• “Who can help me in other areas?”• “I’m considering ‘xyz’, who has been

successful at ‘xyz’?”

Goals – Write Them Down

Harvard Seniors – Goals• 83% no goals, 14% verbal goals

and only 3% had written goals• 10 years later – 14% made 3 times $$$$

and the 3% made 10 times the $$$$• The “take away” – Write down your goals

My Goals

• I am now a ____________________• I would like to be a _____________

by this date____________________

and I will do the following to help me

_____________________________

_____________________________

BLM Mentors

• “Been there – done that”

• Diverse backgrounds• Diverse experiences• Proven performers• Respected• Value BLM & its

mission

BLM Mentors – Benefit the BLM

• Rosey Thomas, Field Manager, Idaho• BLM’s first woman FMO• “life experience is critical”• “diverse perspectives”• “active mentoring positively

benefits both parties”

“Next Job…..State Director!”

BLM Mentors – Benefit the BLM

• Gayle Sitter – Wildlife Lead, Montana• “Allowed me to develop as biologist”• “Gave me encouragement and enthusiasm”• “Value of working with people”• Mentor Moment: “Don’t teach them.

Teach them to think.”

Leadership in the BLM

• What is the BLM looking for?• What are the “keys”

to my success?• Is there a “leadership

list?”

The Evolution of the CEO – the 5 Steps

• Rodgers – Leadership consultant

1. Find a mentor – network, navigate, news

2. Lead a team – get promoted

3. Communicate results

4. Seek wise counsel

5. Manage your time well

Executive Core Qualifications

• Leading Change – goals, priorities• Leading People – nurturing, encouraging• Results Driven – accountability, ongoing

improvement

• Business Acumen – using human, financial, material resources

• Building Coalitions and Communications – networking, teambuilding

Mentorship examples – one last story

• Jesse Owens – 1936 Olympics, Nazi Germany

Jesse Owens – Motivating others to excel

Owens nearly missed qualifying in the long jump. His toughest opponent, a German named Lutz Long, gave Owens advice that helped him advance. Lutz was the first to shake his hand when Owens earned the gold. (The winning jump)  

Jesse Owens

Lutz Long & Jesse Owens

• "It took a lot of courage for him to befriend me in front of Hitler," Owens said.

• Long used a towel to “mentor” Jesse to success  

What Mentorship is NOT

• “BFF” – best friends forever• Sponsorship – bypass meritocracy

Thank You for Your Time

• Questions?