Growing up, when I would fuss about something that happened at school that struck me the wrong way, my mother’s simple reply was “that’s life.” From my Reagan White House days, I still remember our boss’s comments after our young team complained about a new process and how much we disliked having to re-do our work to accommodate someone else’s objective or agenda. Her response was “ladies--that’s why they call it work.”  Although those replies seemed harsh and uncaring to me as a young person, as a mother and a CEO with many more years of experience I finally got it.  
Through these experiences and others, I have come to have added appreciation for individuals in my life who make things easier for others and whose generosity of spirit creates open, collaborative environments in which to fulfill our obligations. I want to express my gratitude to those individuals who are not only sounding boards, but also help facilitate alternative options to enable me and my colleagues to maneuver through life’s hallways—they help make life just a bit easier.
Being an executive, a parent or a partner can be lonely at times. During this time of historic change, each of us have discovered unique challenges, as we are also experiencing the normal ebbs and flows of life.  During the pandemic, pain points have become more heightened.  We are not only addressing daily incidents which qualify for the “that’s life” commentary, but we are doing so within the context of ever-changing rules and regulations related to Covid-19.  Tempers are frayed. Churn occurs. The world is weary.
As a result, I was so pleased to be invited to participate in a series of peer-to-peer forums over the past two months. Before the pandemic, I regularly engaged in women’s networking forums; however, the recent peer-to-peer engagements have centered around comparing challenges and potential options to overcome life’s recent and unanticipated obstacles. These opportunities to talk openly in a confidential setting have become even more meaningful and impactful.  
I am often asked if there is a point in your career when you no longer need a mentor. I don’t think so, but I also think the term mentor becomes a bit more broad in its meaning. You always need someone to talk through ideas or to learn from when tackling a new problem. To some degree parts of our life were a bit simpler when we were hunkered down in 2020. Today, we are still managing the pandemic but also venturing out, traveling for work, and balancing hybrid meetings.  Our balancing act adds new levels of exhaustion and frustration. 2021 has been unexpectedly more challenging for organizational leaders than we anticipated.
That is why it has been a special joy to have an opportunity to spend off-the-record time with other CEOs as well as other executive level women.  As type-A individuals, we gain our strength and re-energize when engaging in conversation with others whose life experiences are like our own.  Peer relationships become even more meaningful when you are in a community that shares a commonality of experiences.

Thank you to those who enable others to gain strength by knowing we have a group of colleagues and friends on whom to call upon, as each of us support our embattled communities, our families and manage our lives. 

I often say #mentorship isn't a moment, it's a movement. No matter where you are on life’s timeline or organizational hierarchy, find that opportunity to work with a mentor or a professional colleague to brainstorm next steps or find a peer with whom you can speak and reaffirm that you are on the right track.  You will learn that your experience isn’t unique and discover a kindred spirit in the process.

WRITTEN BY

Lisa Gable