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Women in Leadership Foundation is pleased to introduce you to Heidi Hauver (she/her) who is one of our valued mentors in our Mentorship Program.
What motivated you to become a mentor in the Women in Leadership Mentorship Program? I appreciate and value the work that the Women In Leadership Foundation is doing and because I have been fortunate enough to be guided by some exceptional mentors throughout my career when I saw the opportunity to lean in I jumped at the chance. Being a mentor allows you the opportunity to meet new connections, share, learn and grow from others, all the while you are nurturing and empowering the next generation of leaders.
How do you approach building a strong mentor-mentee relationship? Are there any specific strategies or techniques you find effective?
Setting expectations is crucial to making the time we spend together as meaningful as possible. I always like to start a first discussion by how they define the mentor/mentee relationship in their own words, learning about what the other persons expectations are, and what they hope to achieve.
As a mentor it’s important that if you commit to a mentee relationship you need to demonstrate you truly value the relationship and appreciate the opportunity you have been given to be their mentor:
Respecting their privacy and confidentiality is essential.
Be open minded, share your own learnings and lived experience and remember not to “tell” someone what they “should” do but instead add to their ideas, insights and provide them with ideas to consider.
Our days are all productive. It’s important not to cancel or move meetings around last minute.
Always allocate for sufficient time so you are not rushing through important discussions.
Make a conscious effort to be fully present and genuinely curious during the meeting.
Be available for questions via email in between meetings.
By doing the above, we are able to create an open and engaging dialogue that allows us to explore ideas and perspectives together, ultimately leading to a more productive and fulfilling experience for both of us.
What do you consider to be the most rewarding aspect of being a mentor?
I deeply appreciate the chance to give back to my community, establish connections with new individuals, and being able to contribute to their personal growth and development. Being a part of someone's journey is a privilege that I hold in high regard, and I take it as an opportunity to share my knowledge, skills, and experiences to support them in achieving their goals. It's fulfilling to see someone progress and thrive as a result of our interactions, and I find it incredibly rewarding to be a part of that process.
Have there been any valuable lessons or insights you've gained through your mentorship journey? If so, could you share one or two that have had a significant impact on you? I find that mentorship relationships are incredibly enriching and fulfilling because they offer a unique opportunity for mutual learning and growth. While I may be in the role of a mentor, I often feel that I gain just as much, if not more, from the experience. By creating a safe and open space for sharing, both parties can benefit from each other's lived experiences, perspectives, and insights. Through this process, I've gained valuable knowledge and insights that have helped me in my personal and professional life, and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to learn from others in this way.
It's important to recognize that sometimes, creating a welcoming environment and being a friendly sounding board can have a profound impact on someone's life, especially when they're facing significant decisions like a job change or navigating other puzzles in life. By providing a safe and non-judgmental space for them to talk through their thoughts and feelings, you can help them gain clarity and perspective on their situation. Additionally, offering encouragement and support as a "cheerleader" can make a world of difference to someone who may be feeling uncertain or overwhelmed. Even if you don't have a direct stake in their decision, your presence and words of encouragement can be a powerful force in helping them navigate their path forward.
One of the most meaningful outcomes of my participation in this program has been the friendships that I've formed. Even after the program ended, we have agreed to stay in touch and continue to support each other in our personal and professional lives. It's been incredibly rewarding to see them succeed and achieve their goals, and I feel privileged to be able to celebrate those successes with them.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering becoming a mentor in the Women in Leadership Mentorship Program?
What are you waiting for? At every stage of your own journey, you have something valuable to offer another woman in this program. By joining forces, you can embark on a journey of mutual learning and growth that can benefit you both personally and professionally. While it may require an investment of your time and attention, I'm confident that the outcomes will be well worth it for both parties involved. As you share your unique insights and experiences, you'll gain new perspectives that can help you navigate your own path forward, while also providing support and guidance to your fellow participant. Consider taking this leap and see where the journey can take you.
About Heidi Hauver (she/her)
Heidi is an innovative and strategic people leader who partners with companies as a fractional Chief People Officer. She provides executive leadership, advisory, coaching and mentorship to CEOs, Founders, Executive Directors, and HR leaders at all stages in their career journey. With over twenty years of experience in multiple industries, including the technology and not for profit sector, she is passionate about transforming the human resource’s function and demonstrating its strategic business value. Since 2007 she has founded an HR practice, built three HR departments for companies from the ground up and became the first HR Executive for three companies. Heidi’s energetic leadership and constant innovation have earned her several awards, including the 2022 WBN Businesswomen of the Year Award for Community Impact, the 2020 Alumni of the Year Award (Business) with Algonquin College, the inaugural nationally recognized 2018 Leadership Agency Award for Woman of Distinction, a 2017 Top 25 HR Professional, the 2012 Ottawa Business Journal/Ottawa Chamber of Commerce Forty Under 40 Award, and the 2012 CATA Information Technology Strategic HR Leadership Award. Heidi is a Certified Human Resources Executive, a Chartered Professional in Human Resources, a Canadian Certified Inclusion Professional and a Certified Coach Practitioner. She is a dedicated volunteer and community builder who supports a variety of organizations including Algonquin College, Code Youth, Hire Immigrants Ottawa, Women in Communications & Technology, Women’s Business Network, Women In Leadership Foundation and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO).