We’re thrilled to shine the spotlight on Julija Varneckienė, the Chief Operations Officer at CapitalBox and a Product Ownership track mentor.
In this interview, Julija shares her journey into mentorship, the valuable lessons she has learned along the way, and the profound impact of guiding others. With a rich background in system development and organizational change, Julija’s insights provide a thoughtful look at the essence of mentorship and its lasting rewards.
What drove you to become a mentor?
Throughout my career, I have been responsible for system development, training, and managing organizational changes toward automation and process implementation. These experiences have helped me guide people in their daily duties and manage personal changes effectively. When a former colleague saw a mentorship opportunity, she suggested I should give it a try, thinking it would be a great fit. So, I did. And here I am. ~15 mentees in 5 years.
What are the top three things you learned from mentoring?
1. Listen more, speak less. Through mentorship, you recognize that it’s not always about showing people the exact direction, but more about listening to where they want to go and supporting and encouraging them to take steps forward. Most people are very smart but often biased by uncertainty and underestimation of their own abilities.
2. People seeking mentorship aren’t always ready to be mentored. Some people view mentorship as a process where you do the work, and they just “attend.” It’s important to identify these individuals early and manage your time effectively.
3. The importance of continuous learning. Mentoring is a two-way street. While you guide and support others, you also learn a lot about yourself, your strengths, and areas for improvement. Mentoring helped me to become a better leader for my team and get additional knowledge.
What surprised you most, and what was your favorite mentorship moment?
The most surprising thing is realizing how just a few sessions can profoundly impact someone’s life. My favorite moments are seeing the joy on my mentees’ faces as they achieve their goals and witnessing them return after a few years seeking further guidance. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that our time together has had a lasting effect.
What advice would you give to new mentors?
Set very clear expectations and be personal. It might take a few sessions to figure out mutual expectations and understandings, so take your time. Don’t be too theoretical; share your experiences, mistakes, drivers, and insights. People look for connection and real-life examples—things they can’t get from reading theoretical books alone.
Can you share a mentee success story, and how did it make you feel seeing that success?
My very first mentee approached me after taking some online coding school classes with a couple of questions: “What’s next?” and “Is this the right path?” We began by exploring and clarifying different possibilities in business and IT. We identified his strengths and areas of disinterest.
Then, we worked on a sample business case to provide practical guidelines and crystallize his areas of interest. Step by step, he delved deeper into the subject. After a few years, he is now the most valuable community leader in Lithuania for the platform I introduced him to. With a lot of passion and hard work, he transitioned from being a musician to an IT admin and developer, discovering his path and realizing the value he could create, all while enjoying the journey. I am incredibly proud of him. This transformation was 100% his effort to change his life.
Another story involves an incredibly talented woman who lost belief in her abilities after trying to return to work following maternity leave. After a few sessions, it was clear she was regaining her self-confidence and control. We identified her strongest skills, prepared for job interviews, and she landed a job. I felt incredibly proud of her. The most rewarding moment is seeing others achieve their goals. They did it all themselves; I just helped light the path for them and supported them through the journey.rd work and proactive attitude truly paid off. It’s so inspiring!
