Recently, experienced women from various areas of the healthcare sector gathered in Wiesbaden for a kick-off workshop as part of the Healthcare Women’s Network . The goal was to further develop their mentoring skills and launch the current mentoring program with fresh ideas.
Dr. Claudia Neusüß from compassorange was delighted to accompany the workshop as a consultant and trainer. She has been active as a mentor herself for over 25 years—mentoring is one of her passions.
Diversity as a strength
The atmosphere was exceptionally inspiring and appreciative. The participants brought extensive leadership experience; many had already served as mentors, and for some, it was their first step into this role. It was precisely this diversity that made the exchange particularly lively, open, and professionally oriented.
In the workshop, the group immersed themselves intensively in the different phases of a successful mentoring process:
from the first meeting to the conscious shaping of the relationship to a successful conclusion.
Role and attitude
The focus was not only on methods and structures, but above all on the inner attitude:
How does the role of a mentor differ from that of a coach or consultant?
How do you build real trust and offer support on an equal footing?
And how can gender-specific challenges and unconscious biases be carefully reflected upon and actively shaped?
Learning through practice
The role plays and case discussions were particularly beneficial. These demonstrated the value of working together through challenging or unfamiliar situations and receiving immediate, constructive feedback.
Impulses on topics such as leadership, empowerment (“becoming more influential”), communication and deep listening also highlighted the depth and effectiveness that mentoring can develop – both for the mentees and for the mentors themselves.
The intensive kick-off workshop was a real highlight for everyone involved – full of energy, inspiring conversations, and a clear awareness of the strength of their own peer network.
Mentoring connects and moves.
Many thanks to the HCF advisory board members Nora Möllers and Hilke Schröder-Rumsfeld for their committed and good cooperation, a big thank you to the board members Cornelia Wanke , Jutta Kristen , Katharina Schmidtke , Martina Gripp, and Emily Andreae as well as to all participants for their trust, their impressive expertise and the lively exchange.
Photo: Angelika Stehle
