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The housing sector needs to take mentoring seriously – or it won’t be fit for the future
More people who work in housing need to think about becoming mentors if the sector is serious about planning for the future, argues Inside Housing’s guest editor Oliver Harling. Photography by Belinda Lawley
I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help and guidance I have received in my career.
Since winning the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and Inside Housing’s Rising Star competition in 2018, I have benefitted massively; speaking at events, gaining a name for myself within the sector, taking part in live Q&As and, most importantly, having a mentor. As Inside Housing’s guest editor this week, I want to talk about mentoring and the impact it can have.
Knowing what you want to do, but not knowing quite how to do it can be a common and uncomfortable feeling.
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Professionals can feel that they have reached their ‘peak’ or hit a brick wall with their career, when in fact they have more potential in their locker – they just don’t know how to unlock it.
From a young age, each one of us is being mentored in some way, whether it be learning to walk, learning to swim, going to school, or obtaining a qualification.
We shouldn’t think any differently when it comes to people’s careers.
Seeking that assistance doesn’t mean that you don’t know the answer to the questions yourself, it just means that you may require a new perspective and a fresh thought process to guarantee you get the best out of yourself and express your values. You can still be the most authentic version of yourself, while getting to where you are meant to be.
“From a young age, each one of us is being mentored in some way, whether it be learning to walk, learning to swim, going to school, or obtaining a qualification. We shouldn’t think any differently when it comes to people’s careers”
I would encourage more people to become involved in mentoring in the housing sector. Pass on your knowledge and be the helping hand which so many housing professionals need and reap the rewards by knowing you are doing your bit to improve the sector. Many current problems that the sector is facing don’t look to be going away any time soon, so passing on experience to the next generation of housing leaders is building for the future.
What should the sector do? Simple: recognise the potential early. Give younger housing professionals the trust they deserve and the freedom to voice their opinions where it really matters. Invest in young housing professionals with training and ensure that there is enough guidance and help for them to develop themselves.
As an employer, removing barriers and installing methods to help younger housing professionals in their careers should be the way that each association thinks and acts if we want to see a balanced, diverse and ambitious sector full of potential.
Most employers should support mentoring, and many may have their own schemes available. If not, the CIH has a great mentoring scheme fit for everybody.
“Mentoring helped me to recognise my potential and realise that I could reach any goal I set myself, no matter how high”
To find out more about mentoring, read Inside Housing’s feature on the subject, that I commissioned as part of my guest editorship.
Mentoring helped me to recognise my potential and realise that I could reach any goal I set myself, no matter how high.
For me, some of the people who have made a difference include my mum Karen Lawler, Michael Sinnott (Jigsaw Homes), Cath Mustafa (Progress Housing Group), Sasha Deepwell (Irwell Valley Homes) and my mentor Ian Johnson (Karbon Homes) – so I want to end with thanks to them.
Oliver Harling, site supervisor, Liberty Group
