A customer service liaison here won NAVAIR’s first Mentor of the Year Award for exemplifying the ideal qualities and character of a mentor.
Valisa S. Harris, of NAVAIR’s Command Strategies, Force Planning and Analysis Department, Workload and Planning Division, was recognized at a NAVAIR Women’s Advisory Group meeting Feb. 10.
“Ms. Harris embodies and cultivates the exemplary characteristics of a dedicated mentor. She inspires others to take advantage of professional development and values the importance of reaching back and finding a mentee to mentor,” according to the award nomination written by NAVAIR’s comptroller, Jerry Short.
For an organization such as NAVAIR, Harris believes effective mentoring is a strong foundation for growth and success.
“Mentoring fosters relationships that challenge people to rise to higher levels of competence, confidence and courage to take on various levels of responsibility,” she said. “Growing and learning is an essential part of one’s career development, and having an exceptional mentor that encourages a mentee to think, rather than tell them what they should think, is a wonderful growth experience.”
Harris knows firsthand the importance of thinking through a big decision. She was once faced with the decision to make a career change from NAVAIR’s Contracts Department to her current position. Her mentor, however, encouraged her to think about her aspirations and look at future opportunities, all the while advising her that the decision was ultimately Harris’ to make.
“I learned from my mentor that changing careers was not abnormal; actually, it was a part of growing,” she said. “It was good to know that I had an advocate supporting my career goals.”
Now, Harris is giving back by mentoring several NAVAIR employees. She says a good mentor is willing to listen, communicate openly in confidence, has time to commit to the relationship, is honest and unafraid of telling hard truths, and encourages mentees to excel personally and professionally.
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