Tyson Foods needed to develop some programming to provide our team members with targeted professional growth.

In 2017, the Women’s BRG surveyed its membership and received an overwhelming number of requests from team members seeking support through a mentoring program. As a result, the Women’s BRG piloted 10 mentoring circles for its members. Each circle consists of seven team members with diverse backgrounds and expertise that meet on a regular basis with a leader at Tyson Foods who provides support in leadership development and career progression. The program requires a six-month commitment with one-hour monthly meetings.

The goals of the program include:

• Enhancing leadership and communication skills.
• Gaining practical advice, encouragement and support.
• Building upon knowledge and skills from the experiences of others.
• Increasing exposure to additional areas and roles within Tyson Foods.
• Growing professional networks.
• Assisting emerging leaders in professional development and career aspirations.

Mentors are key leaders at Tyson Foods, who are directors and above and have influence in the business. Each mentor receives a guide to help them with the facilitation of their circle and chooses the topic of their circle. Topics have included: understanding mergers and acquisitions, growth mindset, unwritten rules of corporate success, the power of persuasion and others. 

This year marks the program’s pilot, which is still in progress.

Leslie Drish