IT TAKES TWO! Mentors and Mentees

and I’m grateful that our personalities connected, so we could talk so freely and easily. If Valentim hadn’t been open and committed, I wouldn’t have been able to assist. He was the perfect mentee with a deep respect for our conversations and time. He frequently sent me updates on his progress from the topics we had discussed. I never asked him to, he just did. Val could be a mentor on how to be the “ideal mentee”.

sionals are on the court a lot. Make it easy! Allow texting for quick assistance. Summarize your sessions and send if your mentee isn’t able to take notes. Don’t make it seem like work or a burden and it will be easier for your mentee to participate. Be ready to share your contacts in the industry. You don’t have to be the expert in all areas, but you can lead the way in acquiring the information. Your trust and confidentiality are essential. Enjoy the process and ability to help a professional grow.

Val's Tips for Mentees

When USPTA Board member, Kevin Theos, sent an email with mentorship opportunities, I was intrigued and applied. What a perfect time to use the pandemic as a positive! I had time at home for phone calls so I was excited to “give back” to a younger professional and see if I could make a difference. I had recently left my full time position at the USTA National Campus and was working from home as a consultant for tennis facilities, professionals, and students of the game. Why not take on a pro bono project?

Valentim Gonçalves, or “Val” as he calls himself, was my mentee. A USPTA certified tennis professional with high level playing experience, an MBA, and an academy of his own with a partner–he had already created his own solid career in tennis. He was looking to me for guidance on “next steps” and where to best spend his energy.

Our relationship was different from the professional mentoring I’ve done in my work life. Those have also been rewarding but were always part of my job as a director of tennis or manager. This had a different feel; it was confidential discourse and coaching without any personal ties to the outcome for me. And it was stress free! Mostly, I listened and guided him from my past experiences and industry IQ, and when necessary, connected him to the right people in the industry – a big benefit of getting older –networking gets easier!

It takes two to make a good team,

We worked together with periodic phone calls for over a year and a half. Our formal mentorship has ended but we have unofficially extended our teamwork on an “as needed” basis. Val deserves much of the credit for our valuable time together as he was never afraid to contact me and ask questions. Without such a willing partner, I wouldn’t be writing about our success today.

It most definitely takes two to make the mentorship program work. If you wish to be a mentee, make sure you open up and take advantage of the experience and contacts of your mentor, as Val did with me. And I hope those of you with experience in the industry will raise your hand to become a mentor. I truly believe the rewards will surprise you.

Val and I have not yet met each other in person, and I look forward to that day. It was so rewarding to spend time and energy with someone who was determined to carry out all that we discussed.

Currently Val is enrolled in the Director of Racquet Sports certification program at the University of Florida. Congrats Val, and cheers to our continued partnership!

Kathy's Tips for Mentors

Get to know your mentee, not just their professional life but their outside interests and family. It assists in gaining perspective of the person you are guiding. Schedule a call at least once a month.

Cell phone calls are fine. Zoom can be a barrier to connecting if tennis profes-

Organize your priorities to assist you and your mentor in getting started. You don’t have to know exactly what you hope to get out of your relationship when you begin. Send updates monthly to your mentor so they can keep up with your progress. You can also ask for additional information and give your mentor time to do some thinking before your next call. Ask that your sessions remain confidential. This will allow you to open up and can really assist in your growth! Tap into the resources sent your way. Take advantage of the industry relationships and experiences of your mentor. Don’t be afraid to initiate conversation and ask for help. Appreciate that you have this resource and lifeline when you need it.*

• Personal Growth and Goals

• Work – Life Balance Strategies

• Business Plans: 1 to 5 Year Plans

• Budgets

• Certification

• Continuing Education

• Career Shifts

• Facility Upgrades

• Programming Assistance

• Managing and Training Staff

• Working with Parents

• Teaching and Coaching Improvements

• Better Communication Strategies