On January 30, 2025, the IABC/Calgary community gathered at The Living Room on 17th Ave for an evening of networking, learning and inspiration. The event, designed for the 2024/25 mentorship cohort, provided an opportunity for mentors and mentees to connect and gain valuable insights on how to make the most of their mentorship relationships. Open to all IABC members, the evening also served as a development opportunity for communications professionals.
The event featured a session led by professional coach Gary Gillan, titled Mastering Mentorship – How to Gain Maximum Impact. With over 30 years of experience in project management, coaching and education, Gary provided attendees with practical strategies to optimize their mentorship relationships.
Gary’s workshop focused on four essential components of mentorship:
- Establishing Clear & Measurable Objectives
- Define SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals.
- Align mentorship goals with personal values and professional aspirations.
- Set milestones and document agreements to ensure accountability.
- Monitoring & Measuring Progress
- Schedule regular check-ins and maintain open communication.
- Use digital tools for tracking progress and accountability.
- Celebrate achievements along the way to maintain motivation.
- Integrating Reality & Flexibility
- Acknowledge and plan for potential challenges.
- Maintain an adaptable mindset to adjust goals as needed.
- Balance ambition with practical considerations.
- Commitment to Continuous Improvement
- Engage in regular self-reflection and assessment.
- Update goals based on insights and feedback.
- View both successes and setbacks as learning opportunities.
Beyond the structured session, attendees enjoyed a chance to network over food and drinks, making connections that will support their mentorship and professional journeys.
As the 2024/25 cohort continues their mentorship experience, these key takeaways will serve as valuable tools to navigate their career path. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the evening!
What we heard from attendees:
“Loved the presentation!”
“Thanks for your thought-provoking (and fun!) presentation, Gary!”
“It was a great event. I’m glad I could attend.”
“It was inspiring to hear from Gary and get the opportunity to meet new mentees and mentors in the program who are focused on growing and giving back in our community.”
