Often, it’s the times you’re most uncomfortable that help you grow the most.

That’s what Victor C., Assistant Manager in Tennessee learned from the Formal Mentor Program. A self-proclaimed introvert, Victor decided to join the program after several of his coworkers encouraged him to branch out and explore the opportunity.

After almost three years of working for Enterprise, Victor decided it was time to pack up his uncertainty and move out of his comfort zone. Through a questionnaire and personality evaluation, Victor was paired with his mentor, HR Generalist Khirah W.

“I thought the best-case scenario would be gaining tools I could use to further my career,” says Victor. “And it would also be a great way to get out of my shell and network.”

Khirah, a five-year Enterprise veteran, is a firm believer in the power of mentoring.

“I take great pride in developing others,” she says. “If you’re going to move up in the company, you need to pull others up with you.”

Vent Up, Not Out

Khirah believes a crucial role in development is voicing your failures and successes.

“It’s important to have mentors who you can talk to uncensored,” she says. “Even if there are a handful of people already in your corner, it’s sometimes nice to talk to someone who is not directly involved with you on a day-to-day basis.”

During their laid-back meetings, including a bowling outing, Victor absorbed Khirah’s knowledge through her extroverted teaching style. Victor values honesty and direct communication; lucky for him, Khirah is honest and direct.

“Thanks to Khirah’s personal experience, I gained tips to help me navigate my own Enterprise journey,” says Victor.

One of those tips was the idea of venting up to his mentor.

“When you vent up instead of venting out, you’re talking to a person who went through the situation, and they’re able to show what their successes were because of it,” says Khirah.

The Perfect Match

Despite their differences, both Victor and Khirah appreciate and value what they’ve learned from one another.

“Knowing that I’m responsible for contributing to someone’s development keeps me on my toes,” says Khirah. “It’s very important to me to always make sure I’m putting my best foot forward. Victor is a top performer and having him in my corner is a constant push for me.”

“Khirah’s continual motivation has given me the confidence I didn’t necessarily have before,” says Victor. “I’m more willing to put myself out there now.”