WOMEN IN PROPERTY MENTORING PROGRAM: Jess Garner

We sat down with 0 Women in Property Mentoring Program participant, Jess Garner, Director of Project Management for CBRE WA, to talk to her about her experience in the program.

1. What is your current role? Has this changed since your participation in the program?

   My current role is Director of Project Management for CBRE WA. My role has not changed, however my approach to leadership has certainly developed, as a direct result of my participation in the program.

    

2. Overall, what was the most beneficial aspect of your mentoring experience?

   The most beneficial aspect of the program was the people I met. I was partnered with a fantastic mentor (Jon Stone, Scentre Group) who really challenged me, and I made genuine, new industry connections that I am in regular contact with today. Abby Jandro, from Serendis Leadership Consulting, was the facilitator and each workshop was structured so well that I took something away from every session.

    

3. In what ways did the program increase your skills and confidence as a leader? Your ability to network? Your ability to plan your career and execute that plan?

   The framework of the program encouraged me to assess all aspects of my career and current role and the mentoring time with Jon challenged that self-assessment. The process helped me to redefine the short and medium-term development path for my current role and increased my confidence in regards to how I was conducting myself. The program also helped me plan for some longer-term goals that I hadn’t previously even considered.

    

4. How have you applied what you learned in these areas to your work?

   I can honestly say that I have continued to regularly reference my vision, strategy, objectives, initiatives and DNA that I defined in the program and I am proud of the changes that I have implemented as a result of the experience.

    

5. How have you benefitted from the connections you made while participating in the program?

   I made some wonderful connections through the program and I think the most beneficial aspect is that these relationships are based on very honest and open communication and develop at a genuinely deeper level faster. The program has left me with new industry peers, outside of my immediate professional network, that I can call upon if I need support and that I am committed to returning that support to.

    

6. What was the best piece of advice you were given by your mentor?

   The best piece of advice I was given was to identify and get the monkeys off my back. Jon helped me realise that I was trying to be everything to everyone and running around in circles in my attempt to do it.

    

7. What advice would you give to a mentee who is interested in the mentoring program?

   The program is an excellent professional development experience. Bring your whole, honest self to the process and drive the direction of your mentoring experience, based on what you really want to get out of it.