Effective mentoring is frequently an indicator of a mentee’s career success, which is one of the reasons I continue to encourage men to mentor women in the workplace. Although women comprise 58.4% of the workforce in the United States, men still hold 65% of senior leadership positions. According to a Forbes article last month, even when women advance to senior leadership, their pay is 28% lower than similarly situated men. In this blog post, we’ll explore why mentoring matters and how leaders can contribute to fostering a supportive and empowering workplace.
Encouraging Mentoring in Your Workplace
Contrary to what many people believe, mentoring is not an altruistic activity. In the most effective mentoring relationships, both mentees and mentors benefit. The mentee learns how the mentor achieved success and experiments with some of the tools used and paths taken. As the mentor observes the mentee’s attempts, there are often helpful realizations, such as:
- Different tools are needed.
- The path the mentor took has changed.
- Ancient wisdom is still cited for good reason.
Additionally, encouraging men to mentor women contributes to breaking down gender barriers, and encouraging leaders to mentor people with different racial, gender, or religious identities can break down those barriers. This allows for greater diversity, which leads to better decision-making and innovation.
Preparing to Mentor
- Be Specific. Before becoming a mentor, consider your time commitment and what you can offer. Will you review resumes, share your career journey, or make introductions?
- Set Clear Boundaries. Define what you’re willing to do and communicate it upfront. Clarity prevents overcommitment.
- Help Mentees Set Goals. Many potential mentees lack clear objectives. Guide them in defining their goals from the outset.
- Embrace Learning Opportunities. Explore virtual mentoring sessions for flexibility and efficiency.
- Leverage Other Commitments. Turn professional events into mentoring opportunities.
Building Mutually Beneficial Mentorships
Mentees
Be proactive, transparent, and open to learning. In my experience, potential mentees rarely have clear goals in mind when they first reach out. They often just heard that they need a mentor. Even when I don’t take on a mentee long-term, I can at least get them to the next step by asking them specifically what they hope to achieve by mentoring with me.
Mentors
Remember, mentoring is not just about imparting knowledge; it’s about empowering others to thrive and looking for inspiration in your mentees’ ambition. Their growth motivates your own journey. Who knows? Your mentee might also continue your legacy.
Conclusion
Effective mentoring opens the doors to career success for workers from historically oppressed and marginalized communities. This is one way to create more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces. Whether you’re a seasoned mentor or a mentee seeking guidance, remember that each interaction contributes to a brighter professional future for you and many who will follow.