It is well-known that professional advancement, especially in young professionals, can be maximized through support systems that help them grow. Mentoring is a key enabler and one that we value and actively practice at Miebach. Our mentoring program connects experienced professionals with young colleagues to help the young professionals grow into their roles, while the mentors get to strengthen their leadership skills. In this interview, Lea and Natascha share their personal mentoring journey, reflect on working closely together on a project for over a year and a half, and talk about a meaningful transition of responsibility.

Lea Seuffert (left) and Natascha Redeker (right)

1. What does the mentoring program at Miebach mean to you personally – and why is it particularly valuable for young colleagues?

Lea: For me, the mentoring program is all about trust and targeted personal and professional development. Natascha has been my mentor since I first started at Miebach. She has taught me about structures, processes, and working methods and has given me a incredibly valuable insight into the Miebach culture. It is especially helpful for new colleagues to have someone who supports them, answers their questions, and helps them understand the world of Miebach, even in tricky or difficult situations. Thanks to the program, I was able to quickly settle in, find my feet, and continuously work on my hard and soft skills.

Natascha: The mentoring program is very close to my heart because it allows me to share my knowledge and help young colleagues find their path at Miebach. The first few months at a new company are always very influential. Initially, it's hard to understand how everything works and where to find the best information. That's why I consider the mentoring program at Miebach a huge advantage. In addition to discussing technical topics frequently, mentors help navigate projects and our diverse colleagues. It's wonderful to see colleagues like Lea develop professionally and personally, and to watch initial support evolve into strong collaboration. Honestly, I am a little sad to take a break from work for my "own private" project. However, I am confident that Lea will succeed.

2. Which skills or insights have you developed through mentoring, both professionally and personally?

Lea: Mentoring has strengthened my professional confidence, especially regarding project structures, methods, and collaboration with clients. At the same time, I have grown personally. I have learned to be more open to feedback, work more reflectively, and communicate more consciously. I found it particularly interesting to observe how Natascha approaches and solves challenges in everyday project work. Her way of working has had a lasting impact on me and has strengthened my ability to handle my own project responsibilities.

Natascha: For me, the greatest benefit is gaining different perspectives. Through the mentoring relationship, you learn to convey knowledge in an understandable way and to hand over responsibility step by step. Mentoring also strengthens your leadership skills because mentoring involves coaching, listening, trusting, and learning together. Seeing Lea's development has shown me the program's potential and the potential of our young people.

3. You worked together on a project for over a year and a half. What were your most important milestones, and what did each of you take away from this time?

Lea: Working on the project with Natascha was incredibly exciting and educational for me. The moments that impacted me the most were when we structured complex topics together and rendered them into clear work packages. Also, when we found solutions together for various challenges, both in project management and in everyday life. The close coordination within the team, the development of clear processes, and the direct exchange with the customer helped me grow, sharpening my understanding of the role of project management. My main takeaways up until now are how important transparency, trust, and teamwork are, and that development happens primarily where you are allowed to take on responsibility.

Natascha: A major milestone was when Lea took on more responsibility and managed tasks independently. It was impressive to see her evolve from merely working on the project to actively shaping it. We attended almost every meeting together, and I could see her becoming more independent. This gives me peace of mind, even though I'm leaving the project at such a critical stage. I know it is in good hands. For me, this experience is a positive example of how mentoring and project work can complement each other.

4. Natascha, you are temporarily handing over your role as sub-project manager, and Lea, you are taking it over. How does this transition feel for both of you?

Lea: I feel excited. I know how much responsibility comes with the role, and I am grateful for the trust placed in me. At the same time, I feel well-prepared because I learned a lot from Natascha over the past few months, and I know I can always count on the support of the Miebach community. I will miss Natascha's presence on the team and in my everyday work, of course, but I am approaching this new task with a positive outlook and look forward to continuing the project in her spirit.

Natascha: It feels absolutely right. I know Lea has the competence, motivation, and structure needed for this role. It's not easy to let go of a project, perhaps only temporarily, but Lea has shown over the past few months that she can take on responsibility. To me, this transition is less of a farewell and more of a logical next step in her development. I'm looking forward to returning later to see how she has advanced the project.