Lan Ho, a seasoned conservationist with over 13 years of experience in Vietnam, has witnessed firsthand the challenges and rewards of her field. As a practitioner and leader of three local NGOs focused on saving critical ecosystems, she’s managed more than 20 employees and 200 volunteers, inspiring them to join the fight for conservation. 

But even with her extensive experience, Lan faced her own challenges.

“Like many other conservation practitioners, I’ve struggled to keep growing and moving forward in this demanding career,” she shared.

The need for personal and professional mentoring was evident, but finding the time and resources to connect with experienced mentors was difficult. This gap pushed her to become a mentor herself, but with increasing demands on her time, it was hard to juggle everything effectively. 

To address these challenges and enhance her mentoring skills, Lan enrolled in the Mentoring Skills and Practice Course for Conservation Leaders. The course’s on-demand structure, flexibility and focus on practical application aligned perfectly with her busy schedule. Lan’s motivation was clear: “I wanted to acquire the tools and strategies to become a more effective mentor and empower the next generation of conservation leaders.” 

During the training, Lan discovered powerful tools like asking powerful questions, Theory U, and the OSCAR model. These techniques helped her shift from giving advice to fostering independent thinking and problem-solving in her mentees. The course’s focus on practical application, including live practice sessions, allowed her to put her learning into action, connect with peers and share experiences. Lan also learned the importance of creating a safe and supportive space for mentees, recognising that trust and vulnerability are essential for meaningful mentoring relationships.  

One significant moment for Lan was embracing the concept of “being human” in mentoring.

“When I think about my past experiences, I can see how ‘being human’ really helped to build trust, increase empathy, and create authentic connections,” she shared.

This realisation reinforced her commitment to empathy and active listening in her mentoring work. 

After completing the course, Lan saw a dramatic improvement in her mentoring abilities. She has mentored three young conservationists applying for scholarships and awards, a volunteer group, two undergraduate students, a master student, and an ex-colleague. Notably, one of her mentees secured a government scholarship, and another received an award. Her mentees became more proactive, confident, and capable of taking ownership of their challenges. “They’ve shown their happiness and pride in their growth and development,” Lan observed. 

Looking ahead, Lan is excited to continue her mentoring journey and plans to use her mentoring skills to support local NGOs and create lasting impacts in conservation. She’s also been selected as a mentor for CoalitionWILD’s 2024 Global Mentorship Programme, which will allow her to extend her influence even further. 

Lan’s vision for the future is clear and inspiring. She wants to cultivate a mentoring culture within the conservation community, believing that “mentoring is an essential and powerful tool to promote and maintain a learning and empowerment culture.” Her dedication to mentoring, driven by her deep desire to help others, continues to shape the conservation landscape in Vietnam and beyond. 

In her own words, Lan sums up her journey: “The training strengthened my belief and confidence to keep the mentoring spirit and approach alive as I lead my team toward shared goals and support others in their journey.” Lan’s story is a powerful reminder of the ripple effect that one dedicated mentor willing to keep learning and growing can have on individuals, organisations, and the wider conservation community.