My Mentorship Story - Gayle St. Denis
22
Nov 2022
73
Author: Gayle St. Denis, CPHR C.Mgr. - Instructor, Faculty of Business, Environment and Technology, NorQuest College
What is mentorship? According to Ehrich et al.(2004), mentorship programs develop the skills and talents of others through teaching, leading to growth and learning opportunities. This definition, however, neglects to share the reciprocal benefits of mentoring. Let me share the ways that the CPHR mentorship program has enriched my personal and professional growth.
I was nervous when I decided to become a mentor with CPHR Alberta! I wasn’t sure if I “had what it takes” to be a mentor. However, the fantastic team at CPHR Alberta meticulously matches mentor and protégé based on skills, knowledge, interests, and goals. The mentor/protégé relationship is important, as it supports, guides, and builds on the knowledge of each participant in the program.
My experience as a mentor has enhanced my professional development and sense of purpose in numerous unexpected ways! Here are four fundamental ways that mentoring has impacted my life and that you can expect to help you flourish as an HRM leader:
- New perspectives! As a mentor, I have gained new perspectives on situations. There is always that “grey” area in HR where you, as a professional, need to determine what is ethical and ensure all decisions are valid, reliable, and legally defensible. Divergent thinking allows for creative, sense-making decisions to address challenges.
- Diversity! I have also had the pleasure of mentoring HR professionals from various demographics, backgrounds, organizational types and sizes, and geographical zones! Along with socio-cultural diversity, I have encountered discussions focused on areas outside my usual HR practice, leading to purposeful dialogue and reflection. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are not “buzz words” or about “checking a box”. DEI is embracing and driving change. HR leaders who understand and promote DEI are better equipped to manage strategic HRM, identify important HR trends, and most importantly, create meaningful, intentional organizational and societal change.
- Confidence! Perhaps an unintended consequence, it was certainly welcome! I’m an experienced leader and HR professional, and I felt increased confidence in my abilities through mentoring. Many of us experience Imposter Syndrome at some point in our careers, and the mentoring relationship reduces the toxic perspective sometimes felt, replacing those damaging perceptions with a positive growth mindset.
- Sense of fulfillment! There is no greater honour in life than serving a cause or purpose for which you are passionate. Go ahead; let your intrinsic motivation make the HR profession a fantastic place to connect, collaborate, and contribute!
The mentor/protégé intake occurs twice a year, with the mentoring agreement lasting for six months, and the connection lasting a lifetime! The relationship can be formal and structured, or informal and ad hoc. The mentorship can also count towards your professional development hours. If you are thinking of mentoring, I highly encourage you to sign up for the CPHR AB mentorship program. You will find a sense of purpose, belonging, and connectedness to the HR profession. For more information about the mentoring program, visit https://www.cphrab.ca/mentorship-program.
The views and opinions expressed in this blog post belong solely to the original author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of CPHR Alberta.
The views and opinions expressed in this blog post belong solely to the original author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of CPHR Alberta.
Author : Nicole Mahieux, Nick Canning & Kendal Tremblay Mental health is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of employee well-being, business resilience and community strength. For HR professionals, supporting mental health is no longer optional—it’s imperative. While conversations around mental health have gained traction in many industries, one critical sector still faces unique and persistent challenges: agriculture. Farmers and agricultural workers play a vital role in food production and national food security. Yet they are among the most vulnerable when it comes to mental health struggles. In fact, they experience some of the highest rates of stress, anxiety, depression—and even suicide. This is not just a personal issue. It's a workforce issue. It's a public health issue. It's a business issue. There are a range of compounding pressures makes farming one of the most mentally taxing professions. These include: 1.Financial Stress & Unpredictability Unstable markets, weather-dependent outcomes, and shifting government policies contribute to a constant sense of economic uncertainty. 2. Isolation Many farmers work alone and live in rural areas where access to social support is limited. Social isolation increases vulnerability to mental health concerns. 3. Stigma Although mental health stigma is slowly decreasing, it remains a barrier—especially among men, who represent 74% of the agricultural workforce. Traditional gender norms often discourage open conversations or help-seeking.
As a proud participant in the Glowing Hearts program , CPHR Alberta continues to champion the value that Canadian Armed Forces reservists bring to our workplaces. Since joining the program, we’ve seen firsthand how supporting reservists not only strengthens our communities but also enhances organizational resilience and leadership. The Value of Reservists in the Workplace Reservists are more than military personnel—they are strategic thinkers, adaptable leaders, and skilled collaborators. Their training equips them with discipline, problem-solving abilities, and a mission-focused mindset that translates seamlessly into civilian roles. Captain McKenzie Kibler of The Loyal Edmonton Regiment exemplifies this. In a recent deployment on Operation REASSURANCE, he developed leadership and operational skills that now enrich his civilian career. Watch his story here. Support, Recognition, and Incentives for Employers Supporting reservists doesn’t mean sacrificing business continuity—in fact, it opens the door to meaningful recognition and financial support. Through the Compensation for Employers of Reservists Program (CERP) , employers can receive grants to help offset operational costs when a reservist-employee is away for 30 days or more. At the same time, organizations that register their reservist leave policies with the Glowing Hearts program are publicly recognized on the Canadian Forces Liaison Council website and receive a certificate of support and digital badge. These benefits not only ease the logistical challenges of supporting reservists but also position your organization as a leader in community engagement and national service. Tools and Templates for HR Leaders To make it easier for organizations to support reservists, CPHR Alberta offers a Reservist Leave Policy Template. This resource outlines eligibility, leave procedures, compensation, and compliance with federal and provincial legislation—making it simple to implement a supportive policy. Access the template through the Member Portal.
Companies that invest in leadership development see real returns. According to Brandon Hall Group, organizations with strong leadership development programs are 1.5 times more likely to be financially high-performing, reinforcing the clear connection between leadership strength and business success (Brandon Hall Group, 2015). For small to mid-sized businesses, this risk can be especially high. As teams expand and complexity increases, the informal leadership structures that worked early on can start to crack. That’s where proactive leadership development and risk mitigation go hand-in-hand. The Leadership Gap Is a Hidden Business Risk According to a recent CPHR Alberta report, talent development and leadership gaps remain one of the top five organizational risks (CPHR Alberta, 2023). The consequences are rarely immediate, but they compound over time: • Missed growth opportunities • High-potential employees leaving due to lack of career clarity • Poor team morale when unprepared managers struggle to lead • Strategic drift from lack of alignment at the top A growing company without a leadership pipeline is like a car without a spare tire, it might keep rolling, but one unexpected bump can send the whole operation into a tailspin. Risk Mitigation Starts with Leadership Insight The first step in mitigating leadership risk is to move from guesswork to clarity. That means using structured tools like leadership assessments, succession planning frameworks, and targeted coaching to surface the actual capabilities of current and emerging leaders. In professional services firms, for example, it’s common to see technically strong employees promoted into management roles. While they excel in their areas of expertise, they often lack key leadership capabilities like delegation, feedback, and emotional intelligence (Gallo, 2016). Without proper development, this can lead to stalled projects, disengaged teams, and higher turnover. Leadership assessments and focused coaching are essential to identify these gaps early and build the skills needed to lead effectively. Common Leadership Risks in SMBs Every organization faces different risks, but these are some of the most common leadership vulnerabilities seen in growth-stage companies (SHRM, 2022): • Lack of succession planning: Only one person knows how to run a key function, creating bottlenecks and burnout. • Unclear decision-making authority: Teams waste time waiting for approvals or duplicating efforts due to ambiguous roles. • Promotion without preparation: High performers are promoted into leadership roles without training, leading to micromanagement or misalignment. • Poor feedback culture: A lack of honest dialogue means small issues snowball into bigger people problems. • Leadership misfit: A leader’s natural style may clash with the culture or needs of a specific team or situation. Mitigating these risks requires more than a one-time workshop. It takes intentional development, structured tools, and reinforcement over time (SHRM, 2022). What Effective Mitigation Looks Like The most successful companies don’t wait for a leadership crisis to take action. They build leadership strength proactively. Here’s what that looks like: • Leadership assessments are used during hiring and promotions to identify fit, style, and potential blind spots. • Customized coaching programs help leaders build the exact skills they need in real time, tied to their actual challenges (International Coaching Federation, 2022). • Leadership training cohorts (such as PowerUp Leadership’s “Coaching Skills for Managers” or “Authentic Leadership” programs) create a shared foundation across the organization. • Succession maps identify who is ready or could be ready for key roles in 12–24 months, creating a proactive development plan (SHRM, 2022). As companies grow, the complexity of people management increases exponentially. Systems, tools, and strategy all matter but none of them work without effective leadership behind them (McKinsey & Company, 2018). Investing in leadership development isn’t a “nice to have” for big companies, it’s a risk management strategy for every business serious about sustainable growth.
