Switching roles
At Tecpetrol, we’ve launched a Reverse Mentoring program, an initiative designed to reverse roles between those in positions of leadership and the younger crowd.
In today’s fast-paced world, real leadership isn’t just about guiding others—it’s about being open to learning from everyone around you, no matter their role or experience. When people from different generations or job positions come together to swap ideas and share experiences, it creates a space for mutual growth and builds an inclusive, agile culture that’s ready for anything.
That’s the idea behind Reverse Mentoring, a cool project we’ve launched at Tecpetrol as part of the +d program. It pairs up junior and senior employees, but with a twist—the senior folks become the learners, tapping into the fresh perspectives of their junior counterparts. Let’s hear what those who took part in this initiative have to say!
Verónica Zárate, Operational Planning Specialist, has been playing mentor to Vilma Bettini, Chief Audit Executive. They chose to focus their meetings on ways of finding work-life balance. "Vilma and I hit it off right away—our conversations just flowed naturally. We talked about balancing work and life, both inside and outside of Tecpetrol. She really listened to my perspective, coming from someone who's building a career here and has big ambitions. I think it gave her a fresh view of how motivated the younger generation is. At the same time, she shared some great advice that I really appreciate,” explains Verónica.
Vilma is very enthusiastic about Verónica’s response, pointing out that, “Her joy, passion, and effort in the company are just amazing. People often assume younger folks aren’t as driven, but I quickly realized that’s not true at all. Sure, their work-life balance might look different, but their desire to grow and succeed is just as strong. That makes me so happy,” she admits with a smile.
Another successful duo was made up of María Florencia Maldonado, IT Business Solutions Manager, and María Laura García, Chief Human Resources Officer. In their meetings, they started exchanging ideas about why someone should want join an organization like Tecpetrol. They found a common point in epic stories: those heroic deeds or actions, which, based on effort, sacrifice and courage, spark inspiration.
"Back in 2014, the Techint Group launched this campaign called 'There are no borders,' featuring people from all over the world sharing their stories. I was studying engineering at the time, and when I came across those videos, I knew I had to apply for Tecpetrol’s summer internships. And here I am! It was that incredible feeling of seeing people from such far-flung places all working towards the same goal that totally inspired me.”
"Learning about Flor’s experience was really eye-opening for me. It helped me understand how younger people see what we do and the effort we put into our work. It was a great chance to open my mind and challenge my own beliefs," says María Laura.
Equally enriching was the experience of Juan Stoessel, Commercial & Planning Specialist, who played the role of mentor to Horacio Pizarro, the Sr. Director of Joint Ventures, Non Operated Assets & Midstream. "Our meetings were full of back-and-forth conversations. We made sure to create space to share our opinions and swap perspectives on everyday situations. It also really helped us get to know each other better on a personal level," Juan points out.
“I’ve gone through seven mentoring processes, and in all of them except this one, I was the mentor. So this time, I really focused on actively listening to what Juan had to say. I wanted to hear his thoughts on my actions and decisions—something I don’t usually get from the people I lead. He gave me his support and spoke with total honesty and confidence, which was incredibly valuable," notes Horacio.
Finally, there’s the case of Sebastián Cabezas, Tecpetrol University Manager, and Claudio Gugliuzza, President of Corporate Areas. “Claudio is a trailblazer—super creative with a fresh and positive leadership style. From what I’ve seen after being part of activities he’s led, the people around him really appreciate how approachable he is and the way he leads," says Sebastián of the senior executive.
"I was a bit worried about how the younger generations were receiving my messages and approach. For me, it’s so important to lead by example and earn respect for what you do or know, not just because of your title. At the same time, I believe it’s really valuable to have opportunities in the workplace to share personal experiences and stories," concludes Claudio.