Female Mentorship
Post written by
Kailynn Bowling
Kailynn Bowling is the Co-Founder of ChicExecs PR & Retail Strategy Firm
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2018 is shaping up to be the
year of women. As more and more women lean in and promote upward
mobility, it’s crucial to keep the trend going. One of the best ways to
build sustainable female leadership is through mentorship. See why women
need to be mentoring women to build tomorrow’s leaders and how any
company can implement an effective mentoring program.
See It, Be It
It’s crucial for women in the workplace to have role models. Mentoring helps women ideate
about what they will become. For women to be more empowered in the
workplace, it’s crucial to have structured mentorships where women can
learn from each other.
For example, I had a mentor in my early 20s. She taught me
so much, but the most important thing I learned from her was how to
communicate effectively. She showed me that there is a solution for
every problem -- that problems are just projects in disguise, waiting to
be solved. This mentorship experience molded me into the professional I
am today and it’s the reason I’m so passionate about building mentoring
relationships for women.
Mentors are a critical part of both professional and
personal development. Everyone is glued to their screens nowadays. We
often forget the art of in-person communication, which is essential to
be a strong leader. Mentors give women an avenue to practice their
communication skills in a safe environment by focusing on growth and
improvement.
In addition to personal growth, mentors also help develop a
leadership pipeline in your company. Leaders succeed when they have the
chance to connect with others and learn. These learning opportunities
can actually save your company time while improving efficiency.
MORE FROM FORBES
Mentors help new hires acclimate to your culture more
quickly. Ask your new employee about their career aspirations. Match her
with a leader in the position she sees herself in some day. This will
give the new hire a trusted confidante who can help her grow more
quickly in her career.
How To Build A Culture Of Mentorship
It’s clear that mentors make the world go ‘round. No matter
your culture or company, you can set up your own mentor program to see
happier employees and effective leaders. Use these tips to create
mentorships that empower your employees.
- Make it a team effort: Don’t open up your mentoring program to a few groups or departments. Make it available company-wide to get the most out of it. In fact, this opens up the possibility of cross-departmental collaboration and mentorship, which builds stronger leaders.
- Look for complementary skills: It’s tempting to assign mentorships based on personality. You certainly want your mentor and mentee to get along, but it doesn’t mean you should assign employees to groups based solely on personality. Skills should be the main factor in your mentor matchmaking strategy. For example, match a developer with a marketer so they can exchange valuable skills and insights with each other. This will grow each woman’s individual talents in the workplace, making her even more valuable.
- Ensure structure: I’ve seen some companies set up a very laissez-faire type of mentor program. They might match up employees for mentorships, but then hand the reins to the employees. Mentors and mentees can be left in charge of their relationship, but there still needs to be structure and accountability on the company’s end. This keeps mentorships on track for better results. Structure also helps with a company-wide buy-in for mentorship programs. Unless mentoring is part of your culture and you reinforce the importance of mentoring relationships, there’s a risk it will fizzle out. Create designated spaces and time during the workday for mentorships, solidifying them as a crucial part of your workplace.
- Focus on communication: Mentoring helps your leaders and rising stars practice their communication skills. Whether mentoring happens in one-on-one or group settings, it encourages women to practice effective, clear communication.
More and more women are taking leadership roles in
corporate America. Connect female employees with mentors to help them
grow their skills exponentially. Companies benefit from increased
communication and a more skilled workforce, while employees feel more
valued, more informed and ready to take on the world.
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