Why I chose the CQI Mentoring programme

Why did you choose to become a mentee? 

Derek Geyer (DG): For me it was a natural professional progression. In our organisation, the learning strategy is based on a 70:20:10 rule. That’s 70 per cent on the job experience, 20 per cent is learning through others and 10 per cent is formal training. I saw the CQI mentor programme widely promoted in Quality World and via social media. I also spoke to a few people who had completed the programme and they highly recommended it. Being taken under the wing of a very experienced quality professional (Amanda McKay, CQP FCQI, Quality Director Major Projects at Balfour Beatty and Chair of the CQI's Nuclear Special Interest Group) allowed me to ask questions that you might not normally be able to ask without the fear of feeling embarrassed. 

How did you find the process of being allocated a mentor? 

DG: The process is really easy – from signing up to the scheme to selecting your mentor. I chose Amanda as I already knew her, and she has had extensive experience in numerous different quality roles over the years. I knew that I would feel comfortable being mentored by Amanda because we have worked together on an improvement project recently and I knew that I would learn from her and be able to develop as an individual. 

How has it allowed you to gain and share insights? 

DG: At the start of the journey I was asked to create a plan with goals. All of these have been recorded in my mentor profile in the member section of quality.org. This is invaluable as I can revisit these at any time during the mentoring process to ensure that I meet the targets I have set myself. Amanda is heavily involved with nuclear quality and I have championed the use of iPads in construction over the past five years, so we have taken this opportunity to learn from each other. 

I have personally become more confident in myself as a quality professional.

What is the best advice you have received so far from your mentor? 

DG: Never stop being passionate about the impact you can make. Sometimes channelling your energy in a different direction can get you better more sustainable results. 

How have you developed your expertise since becoming a mentee? 

DG: It is early days yet, but I have personally become more confident in myself as a quality professional. I see this as a marathon and not a sprint as Amanda has said that she is happy for the mentoring to be as long or short as I would like it to be. She is always there whenever I need to reach out and supports whatever I do. Having guidance like this is what the mentor program is all about. 

What advice would you give to other CQI and IRCA members looking to find a mentor? 

DG: Go for it. There are hundreds of mentors ready to share their experience, time and knowledge. You are not just progressing your quality career, but you will also gain a friend who will always be there for you even after your journey has ended.

Meet the mentor 

Amanda McKay, CQP FCQI, Quality Director Major Projects at Balfour Beatty, shares her thoughts on the CQI and IRCA mentoring programme:

"I have been involved with the mentoring programme as a mentor since its inception and Derek is my third mentee. I’ve known Derek for several years as we both work for Balfour Beatty, though in different parts of the business. When Derek asked me to be his mentor, I looked forward to working with him. Already knowing him made it easy to establish our meetings and goals for the mentoring. 

“Derek is already a competent quality professional and he recently achieved Chartered Quality Practitioner status. During our mentoring relationship, we’ve focused on areas outside of the pure quality tools and techniques to areas around leadership and context in the CQI Competency Framework, particularly things such as stakeholder management and identification, organisational design and structure. We have also touched on some of the quality aspects of Nuclear Safety Culture and behavioural quality. 

“I don’t see mentoring as a one-way process. I have learned a great deal from mentoring and each of my mentees has given me new insight on different areas. That is the case with Derek who is using tools and techniques I don’t use every day so it is refreshing to learn new things around digital progressive assurance, and some of the root cause analysis tools that Derek uses in his day job. I’d recommend getting involved with the mentoring scheme to all quality professionals.”