Building Careers, Comradery and Connections

Creating environments where people can grow and develop in their careers is foundational to our success…and to our future.   

How do we help the next generation of leaders find career success? Through the Stanley Black & Decker Leadership Program (SLP), we’re creating opportunities for individuals to gain invaluable real-world experience and become innovative, results-driven leaders.  

As part of this program, participants can elect to partner with an alumnus mentor. Meeting regularly, the pair can discuss career ambitions, identify strengths and talk through professional challenges.  

Fran P. recently paired with Rebecca T., a senior HR Generalist and program alumnus, as his mentor. To get an inside look at the value of mentorship, we asked the two to share their experiences in the program.  

Can you share your background and how you became involved in the mentorship program?  

Rebecca: I have been at Stanley Black & Decker for three and a half years. I started as an HR-SLP and am now a senior HR Generalist. I also lead the HR-SLP Track. When I first started in the SLP, I had an alumnus mentor and learned so much from them. That’s why I wanted to become a mentor when I graduated. I wanted to give back to someone starting in the program.  

Fran: I’m from Argentina, but in 2023, I moved to Barcelona. After living there for a month, I joined Stanley Black & Decker as a Trade Marketing Specialist SLP. When I started on the SLP path, I decided having a mentee/mentor relationship would be a great opportunity to be supported and learn from someone who has lived the same experiences I’m having.  

In your view, what’s beneficial about formal mentoring programs?   

Rebecca: I really think mentorship is essential for SLPs. Having someone to talk to about their career journey is so helpful. Their mentor may have already faced similar challenges, and they can provide useful advice while helping their mentee learn more about the company and the culture outside their direct team.  

As Fran’s mentor, we’re constantly learning from one another. So, while I help him navigate his rotations, LEAN project and career journey, he’s giving me insights into a different business function at the company!  

Fran: Mentorship is powerful. Being guided by a program alumnus, I feel prepared for new challenges and supported as I become more and more confident at the company. Rebecca is helping me build a network outside of my field that will be beneficial to my career success.  

What’s valuable about a mentor/mentee relationship? What have you found to be the most impactful part so far?  

Rebecca: Mentors get to connect with someone who they may not cross paths with otherwise. In our case, Fran is in marketing, which I had no prior experience with. I get to learn more about his team, the differences in the marketing track compared to some others and how marketing is done at Stanley Black & Decker. I know I can always reach out to Fran if I need any support from Trade Marketing in the future! 

Fran: The most important thing you get from mentorship is feeling supported and helped. I feel that it’s given me all the support I need to become more and more confident working at the company.   

So far, the most impactful part has been having the opportunity to connect with someone who works in a different field than me, and yet, I still have a lot to learn from her because we have many things in common in our careers.