One piece of advice that I often give mentees is to connect informally within their organization. Most leaders (at all levels) will welcome the invite to connect over coffee (virtually or in-person) to learn more about the people that make up their organization and how they can help them grow within it or beyond.

These coffee chats, as simple as they may seem, help to:

establish meaningful relationships, foster trust, and develop a sense of camaraderie within the organization

tap into your colleague’s expertise, gain different perspectives, and broaden your knowledge base

create mentorship opportunities where leaders can offer guidance, share their professional journeys, and provide valuable advice, helping you navigate your own career path

create visiblity for you within your organization

So, you book the coffee chat but then what? What questions should you ask? Well, certainly do your research on who you’re meeting with to help plan ahead but here are a few questions to keep in your back pocket:

1⃣ What motivated you to pursue a role in our organization? What has been your experience to date?

2⃣ Can you share any challenges you faced in your careeer/role to date and how you overcame them?

3⃣ Are there any hobbies or personal interests of yours that have positively influenced your work or leadership style?

4⃣ What advice do you have for someone looking to advance their career within our organization (or in your next role)?

5⃣ What skills or competencies do you believe are most valued and sought after in our organization?

6⃣ What are some effective ways to ensure that all voices are heard and valued within our organization?

7⃣ What are the most critical challenges or opportunities our org is currently facing? How is my branch/team best positioned to address these?

8⃣ How do you see our organization evolving in the coming years?

9⃣ Is there any one in the organization that you’d recommend I connect with next (depending on what else you may have discussed)?

What are the key strategic priorities for our organization in the coming year, and how can individuals across different teams contribute to their success?

This last question allows you to gain insights into the organization’s overall direction and objectives. It also demonstrates your interest in aligning your efforts with the broader goals of the organization. By understanding the priorities, you can better position yourself to contribute effectively and support the achievement of those objectives.

These questions demonstrate your proactive mindset, eagerness to grow, and commitment to contributing to the success of the organization.

Ultimately, use these conversations as an opportunity to learn, gather insights, and showcase your enthusiasm for professional development and making a meaningful impact.