Tara Ariell Sukic, a dedicated Project Manager at EuroNatur, has spent nearly five years working to protect Europe’s precious ecosystems. Driven by her passion for water and rivers, she leads the “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” campaign, which focuses on protecting the last unspoilt rivers of the Balkans from the looming hydropower threats. 

With nearly five years experience in conservation, Tara recognised a need to enhance and expand her leadership and communication skills to navigate the complexities of her role.

“I wanted to broaden my horizons by improving my communication skills and sharpening my leadership style,” she reflects.  

In 2024, Tara enrolled in the Mentoring Skills and Practice Course for Conservation Leaders. Before the training, Tara viewed mentoring as a one-way relationship where a mentor is someone you look up to for advice and guidance. However, the course introduced her to a more nuanced approach, emphasising the importance of active listening, empathetic communication, and creating a safe and supportive environment.  

One of the most significant takeaways for Tara was the OSCAR model, a framework for structuring mentoring conversations. This tool provided her with a clear structure to guide her interactions with her mentees, ensuring that conversations were purposeful and productive. 

Beyond the theoretical knowledge, the course offered ample opportunities for practical application. Through live practice sessions and group discussions, Tara gained valuable insights from her peers and developed her mentoring skills in a supportive environment: “I liked the mix of having something to do by myself, and a live class that would help me to stick with the given timeframe,” she recalls. “I also loved interacting with peers from all over the world.” 

Tara became more confident in her ability to lead, communicate effectively, and build meaningful relationships. This growth in her mentoring skills also enhanced key interpersonal abilities like communication and self-awareness, deepening her understanding of her strengths and areas for growth, and making her a more impactful and thoughtful leader. 

One of the most impactful aspects of the training was the opportunity to connect with other professionals from diverse backgrounds and the realisation that many participants shared similar challenges in their professional lives. “It was comforting to see that we all have similar issues we want to address. It lessens the isolation that often comes with tackling them” she shares. The larger group discussions exposed her to new ideas and experiences, broadening her perspective. 

Since completing the course, Tara has applied her newfound skills to her role at EuroNatur. As she onboarded a new colleague who will eventually take over her role at EuroNatur, she’s focused not just on delegating tasks but on encouraging her mentee to develop their own path while still benefiting from her guidance. “I’m really trying not just to delegate tasks but to encourage them to step into my path while also creating their own, fostering sustainability in their development and reducing dependency on me for future decision-making. ” she explains.