Some years ago, I discovered I have a talent in Mentoring: it was easy for me to transfer experiences, share tips and “provoke” people cultivating their talents, self-esteem and courage.
I did it with my teams along my career and it was so natural and gave me great satisfaction.
Then, joining PWN Paris, the French entity of a global woman movement that take cares of women empowerment ( pwnglobal.net ), I started to act as a Mentor in the 9 months Mentoring program that we launch every year in November.
It’s an amazing experience for the Mentor:
- in one side, it makes me able to assess my evolution – as woman, as manager – and to measure my abilities improvements through my professional path;
- in the other side, it challenges me while I have to encourage my mentee without giving recommendations, but just using in discussions a maieutic method.
Well, I am not Socrates, so it’s challenging and fascinating: I can see the mentee – and I repeat the words I was told from one of them – blossoming and achieving such results that nobody was expecting…
From Mentees perspective, Mentoring programs play a key role in supporting women’s career development and advancement, with a clear impact in the workplace, and I can mention here some tangible results:
- Career Advancement
Mentoring relationships can significantly accelerate women’s career progression, while Mentors provide guidance on career advancement strategies – tailored to the unique challenges women face (i.e. negotiating salaries, navigating promotions, making strategic career moves, etc…)
- Skills Development
Mentors help women enhance their professional skills and knowledge, identifying areas for growth and sharing their expertise and experiences, equipping mentees with essential leadership skills, specific to the mentee’s industry.
- Confidence Building
Mentoring relationships boost women’s confidence in their abilities: providing encouragement and recognition, increasing mentees’ self-assurance, helping women overcome imposter syndrome and self-doubt. Female role models inspire confidence that leadership positions are attainable.
- Networking Opportunities
Mentors help expand women’s professional networks abilities, that creates more career opportunities, as many jobs are filled through connections.
- Accountability and Goal-Setting
Mentoring relationships keep women focused on their career objectives: setting measurable, achievable goals and holding mentees accountable for their progress and assisting in creating actionable plans to reach long-term career aspirations. Regular check-ins help track progress and adjust goals as needed.
The impact is positive for women and for companies:
- Mentoring programs are pivotal for growth, helping women advance their careers and reach leadership positions.
- Organizations that implement formal mentoring initiatives can help close the gender gap in management roles and foster a more diverse, inclusive and, finally, productive workplace.
