Jeanne Krzmarzick and her team working together
By Carly LePore, Corporate Communications Manager
On-demand learning and instructor-led training are important investments in your employees’ professional development. But people rarely talk about that online course that changed their life. Instead, they look back on the people who guided them on their journey.
Mentors empower individuals to achieve their career goals by nurturing talent and fostering connections. Mentorship also helps build stronger, more resilient, innovative organizations that support employee growth.
Recently, I talked to Jeanne Krzmarzick, director of Sales Operations and Retention at AmeriHealth Administrators, about the benefits of mentorship and how she fosters a collaborative work environment.
What inspired you to become a mentor?
I enjoy mentoring others because I’ve been fortunate enough to learn from various mentors in my life, both personally and professionally. I want to pay it forward.
How would you describe your mentoring style?
My mentoring style is informal. In the Minnesota office, I’ve introduced a time during the work week I call “office hours.” During that time, I encourage people to come in and bring any questions or issues they are trying to solve. We work together to come up with the best solution. Even though I have an open-door policy, this “office hours” concept is an easy way to cultivate a more collaborative spirit in our office.
How do you encourage innovative ideas with your team?
I love working with a diverse team of individuals with different strengths and perspectives. When we have a critical client problem to solve, I usually bring various stakeholders together to brainstorm how to handle the situation. Sometimes just talking through alternatives sparks an idea that we never would have thought of if we were problem-solving on our own.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned from mentorship, either as a mentor or a mentee?
I’ve probably learned the most from being a mentee. Strong leaders encouraged me to be curious. To me, that means asking enough questions to truly understand the issue we are trying to solve, the goal we are trying to achieve, and any alternatives we have for solving the problem. Curiosity also means being a lifelong learner. That resonates with me.
Aside from work, are there other areas where people can find mentors?
People can find mentors anywhere, not just in the office. If you have a hobby or interest, networking with people who share that hobby or interest can be a good way to find a mentor. You might also try volunteering in your community, connecting with a school alumni group, or joining a professional organization. Mentoring doesn’t need to be a formal process. Learning from someone who has a skill or ability you’d like to pursue can provide a great opportunity for personal and professional growth.