Yalonda Brown, DEI leader and activator and President of Diversity Initiatives for Engage Mentoring, joined the Intentional Conversations vodcast. We are excited to share the key takeaways from this rich conversation below.

Key Takeaways From Yalonda:

1. Mentoring is a way to recruit and retain employees. 94% of people would have stayed at an organization if they felt like they could grow and make meaningful connections.

2. Mentoring creates a more well-rounded work force.

3. Great mentees have the ability to not just show up, but a desire for others to meet their greatest potential.

4. Mentors need to be what they want to see in others.

5. Speaking life into youth matters. This makes them have more confidence and builds self-love.

6. The business case for mentoring: mentoring improves culture. Regardless of level everyone has the capacity to lead.    

7. Mentors need mentors too.    

8. The Great Resignation is now the Great Reassessment.

9. Mentors and mentees are match based on topic, not industry or level. This creates more meaningful connections.

10. It's critical for organizations to ensure leaders are mentoring individuals out of their circle who don't look like them.

11. Authentic friendships are very important.

12. If we don’t ask girls their interest, how will we know what to nurture?

13. Entrepreneurship is a great way to have a presence and influence in the world.

14. How do you find a mentor?

• Make a list of individuals you admire, respect and have influence.
• Find professional networking events- being in rooms that can enrich your life are important
• Join groups/organizations aligned with your passions/purpose to build community and networks with others
• You probably have people in your life that are pouring into you and don’t call mentors… lean into them.

15. We have to be open to receiving from others.

CONNECT WITH YALONDA:

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Engage Mentoring Website

CONNECT WITH NIKA WHITE CONSULTING:

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