Sharovska Olga is a trusted mentor
Every company has people who ensure the stability of processes, transfer of experience and support for newcomers. Sharovska Olga became such a person for the team - one of the best TWI mentors, an employee with many years of experience and a sincere, humane approach to work.
Olga has been working in the company for over 12 years. She began her journey in the packaging department, where, together with her colleagues, she mastered all the nuances of the process for several years. Later, the management noticed her responsibility, attentiveness and ability to work with large volumes - and suggested moving to the goods receiving department. This decision became a new stage in professional growth.
Working in the receiving department is physically demanding and requires constant concentration. There is no opportunity to sit down or “take a break” here: you have to be on the move throughout the working day, receiving goods, checking, placing, coordinating. Olga honestly says that it is not easy, but adds: “I like this job. If it is very difficult, I am not ashamed to ask for help. We have a team that will always support us.”
Teamwork, according to Olga, is one of the greatest values in work. The principle of “my house is the edge” does not work here - on the contrary, people lend each other a shoulder, especially when it comes to physically difficult tasks.
The role of a mentor did not appear in Olga’s life immediately and, according to her, without much enthusiasm. When the TWI system was introduced in the company and a pool of mentors was formed, preference was given to employees with extensive experience. Olga underwent basic training, where they explained how to properly transfer knowledge, what to pay attention to during an internship, and how to build a training process for newcomers.
At first, she doubted her abilities: “I was very worried whether I would be able to explain everything correctly, whether I would forget anything. It seemed to me that I was not very suitable for this role.”
But with the first trainees came the understanding: the main thing is to find an approach to the person. During the mentoring, Olga trained many employees, and almost all of them successfully passed the probationary period and stayed working in the company.
She feels the difference between people well: some people need a few days to quickly get into the process, especially if they have experience working with a computer; some need more time, support and repetition. Olga patiently explains, shows, returns to difficult moments and always stays in touch with those she has trained. “I always say: if something is not clear, come closer. It is better to ask again than to worry or make a mistake.”
Olga is convinced: a good mentor is not only about instructions and processes. It is about calm, support and the ability not to pressure. She admits that she still gets nervous before audits, but it is this anxiety that makes her attentive to details and responsible in her work.
Olga’s recognition as one of TWI’s best mentors came as a surprise to her. She modestly notes that the company has many strong specialists, and each of them makes an important contribution. But it is precisely such modesty and sincerity that only emphasize her professional maturity.
In her free time, Olga’s greatest inspiration is her family, especially her granddaughter. She spends all her weekends with her, finding time for walks, trips, new experiences, and simple joys. “Right now, the most valuable thing for me is time together. Work is work, but family is what gives me strength.”
Olga understands the question of advice for those who want to become a mentor, but are afraid. After all, she herself has gone from doubts to confidence. “I think that first of all you need to pull yourself together and show that you can convey the necessary information to a person. I was also worried and nervous. And now I know where to start. The main thing is not to be afraid.”
Olga's story is about how professional growth often begins with overcoming one's own barriers, and true strength lies in sincerity, willingness to help others, and gratitude for the support of the team.