Coach – Mentor – Advisor
Coach – Mentor – Advisor
A memory that I cherish is that of growing up and always being aware of my mom helping or supporting others. She did not have office hours when it came to helping her community. Just like her, I get deep satisfaction from providing guidance and support to others; especially those who may not necessarily be able to pay for this service. This is why I made a conscious decision to be a Mentor and to use my experience to support the growth journey of others, especially young women.
I have been a Mentor for the last 30 years and continue to see it as a way of giving back formally and informally. I have also been contracted by funders to mentor new organisations to strengthen organisational leadership, governance and operations.
Who Benefits from Mentorship
If you are looking to enhance a specific skill or competency or to build or extend your network with direct advice from a person who is experienced and has the kind of skill you are looking to build; then mentorship is for you. Unlike coaching, mentoring is more directive and the mentee seeks to learn from the mentor’s experience.
How it Works
Mentoring sessions could be booked individually (based on a specific immediate need) or sessions can be pre-booked as needed. Sessions last up to 60 minutes.
Who I Mentor
As a Mentor, I work with women leaders who are seeking to build their executive capabilities and/or grow their networks to be promoted in their existing organisation or to advance their careers externally. I also Mentor small groups of women who may have the same needs. My areas of expertise as a mentor include:
Leadership and management
People management
Operational management
Stakeholder relations and management
Relationship building and networking
Personal effectiveness
“The way she asked the right questions to encourage reflection, allow for growth and bring new perspective.” Coaching Client
The Art of Mentoring – How to Optimise Mentoring Sessions
Listening is a skill:
the more I understand you, the better able I will be to offer support in a way that makes sense to you.
There are no wrong questions:
every question can help improve the quality of your thinking.
There are no wrong questions:
every question can help improve the quality of your thinking.
Discernment:
at times it is appropriate to offer a direct answer versus coaching you through the question or problem.
Open door policy:
I can share some of my personal and business opportunities and contacts, where it is appropriate.
Open door policy:
I can share some of my personal and business opportunities and contacts, where it is appropriate.
Mentorship is not friendship:
I do not shy away from offering corrective feedback when needed – in a private, respectful manner.
Take a long-term view :
and invest in the relationship because in years to come you are likely to still be a valuable person in my network.
Take a long-term view :
and invest in the relationship because in years to come you are likely to still be a valuable person in my network.
Relax:
I do not have to have all the answers, but I focus on building self-awareness and personal mastery.
“I met Shireen as my business coach while doing my MBA. She has been an enthusiastic, caring, and compassionate coach. Her holistic approach to encourage growth in all areas to ensure a balanced lifestyle has been great for me and I can attest to both personal and professional growth and development. Her customized approach created around my needs has been great, as well as the extra resources she provides with regards to identified areas of improvement and interest.” – Linda Prinsloo, MBA Candidate at JBS
“Thank you for getting back with me so quickly and for all the guidance!!!! Your email gives me the right place to look. I felt (and often feel) so clueless. I am thankful for you!!” – Chandra Noviskie, Berakah Foundation
“Shireen is the type of person you can count on to keep a cool head in a stressful situation, and her positive attitude is contagious. Having her to guide and support me on how I tackle everything helps a lot. Her communication skills, leadership abilities, positive attitude, efficiency, commitment to quality and dedication as my business coach is highly impressive.” – Mahlatse Mabuza, MBA Candidate at JBS
Find out more.
