The Power of Dual Roles: Embracing Mentorship as a Mentee and a Mentor

This past week, I was honoured to have the opportunity to be a guest speaker to a professional audience. The topic was, "Effectively Leveraging a Mentor". This was an excellent opportunity to share how mentorship has, and continues to have, an impact on my career journey.

The concept of mentorship has significant traction in the professional realm. Traditionally, mentorship was perceived as a one-way street, with experienced professionals guiding the development of their mentees. However, the paradigm has shifted, and the benefits of being both a mentor and a mentee have become increasingly evident. In this article, we will explore the advantages of embracing dual roles in mentorship, the value of having multiple mentors to fulfill diverse needs, and the additional benefits of reverse mentoring. I have gained a tremendous return on investment using this formula, which is why I want to share it with you.

There are wonderful benefits to your personal growth and development when you are a mentor and/or a mentee. As a mentor, you have the opportunity to share your knowledge, experiences, and insights. This process not only reinforces your own expertise but also enhances your ability to articulate and communicate complex ideas, but mentorship is less about you, and more about the person you are inspiring and guiding. As a mentor, you aren't driving the car, you are in the passenger seat holding the map or the GPS and giving wise and logical guidance to someone who looks up to you and has entrusted you with where they are going. It's a big responsibility, and it should be unconditional and selfless. These benefits to you are extra. Simultaneously, being a mentee while also being a mentor, allows you to learn from others, gain fresh perspectives, and expand your knowledge base, so you can pay it forward to your mentees. Imagine if we all did this, what a beautiful circle of support and continuity we could achieve. It's for these reasons that a dual role fosters continuous personal growth and development, for everyone.

Take Away:

1. Take some time to reflect on what you need professionally and/or personally, then do some research and find a mentor. Many organizations have formalized programs to help, use them, but don't limit yourself to them. My eldest is an adult, and something I have taught her is to never limit herself to the radius of where she was born, not for work, not for love, not even for me. Your mentor does not need to be someone who works in the same organization as you. Look toward your network or someone you already know that you admire. Recognize that mentorship is an investment on both sides. It is very important that mentors not be confused with sponsors. Often times one person can be both, but my point is, they don't have to be. If we are thinking of it in logical terms, keeping sponsorship within your organization makes sense because sponsors are advocates, who bring up your name in rooms you aren't even in when they see an opportunity. Inspiring people might already have a high demand. Instead of asking, "Would you, or can you be my mentor?" Try, "I want to benefit from you being my mentor, if you can."
2. Take some time to reflect on what you can offer. Probably more than you give yourself credit for. Find or produce opportunities for others to see you in action, share your journey, tell your stories. You will begin to inspire others, and with a little self investment, others will want to learn from you and you will experience how rewarding it is to be a mentor.
3. Be strategic with who your mentors are and who you nurture as your sponsors.

Mentoring others provides an excellent platform to refine your leadership abilities. By guiding and supporting a mentee, you strengthen your communication, coaching, and problem-solving skills. These qualities are highly sought after in leadership positions and can significantly contribute to your professional advancement.

As a mentee, you will be exposed to a diverse range of professionals, and expand your network. As a mentor, you connect with mentees who may become future collaborators, colleagues, or even mentors themselves. Simultaneously, being a mentee allows you to tap into the expertise and networks of your mentors, opening doors to new opportunities and connections. See the pattern? The potential for a full circle experience.

The Power of Multiple Mentors

I have multiple mentors! I love this because it allows me to tailor my guidance. Each mentor brings a unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives, improving different areas of my professional life. For example, you may seek one mentor for career advice, another for technical expertise, and yet another for personal development.

My career and technical mentor are one in the same, and even more interesting, he is a professional male. The social constructs that you mentor should be the same gender as you is a total contradiction in the pursuit of equality. This person challenges me intellectually, he understands the kind of professional I want to be, he is without fail my equal for career advice, and he has played the most significant role in my leadership growth.

My personal development is split between two women, though I've had multiple throughout my career. One is a mom, and a firecracker (in the best way possible), This mentor guides me through balancing motherhood with career. The other helps guide me in walking through this world as a woman. She is who I go to when I feel the need to heal, offering unconditional friendship without judgement.

Different mentors offer diverse viewpoints, enabling you to gain a well-rounded understanding of various situations. Exposure to multiple perspectives enhances your decision-making abilities and helps you approach challenges from different angles. By embracing multiple mentors, you can create a rich tapestry of insights to nurture your growth. At the core of it, mentorship is a relationship that requires trust and the ability to have constructive and meaningful dialogue, not monologue.

We have covered the most common ideas of mentorship, but what about the added value of reverse mentoring?

Reverse mentoring is when a junior professional mentors a senior professional. It has gained prominence in recent years. This approach offers unique benefits, including:

Technological Fluency: Younger professionals often possess a deep understanding of emerging technologies and digital trends. By engaging in reverse mentoring, senior professionals can bridge the technology gap, enhancing their digital literacy and staying relevant in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Fresh Perspectives: Reverse mentoring allows senior professionals to gain insights into the mindset and aspirations of younger generations. Our workforce is changing. According to a Builtin.com & Mckinsey report, by 2025, millennials are predicted to make up 75% of the workplace, that's just over a year from now.

This exchange of ideas fosters innovation, encourages diversity of thought, and helps organizations adapt to changing market dynamics.

I really tapped into this idea when I worked at KPMG. The team was filled with young and ambitious talent. Their growth mindset remains unmatched. Just being around them gave me renewed energy. Their attitude of being smart, hungry and humble is a mantra I adopted and I share it with others. The impact of working with that team was invaluable, and the relationships I walked away with, our some of my favourites.

Embracing the dual roles of mentor and mentee, and recognizing the value of reverse mentoring, can be a transformative experience that will propel your personal and professional growth. By actively seeking multiple mentors and embracing reverse mentoring, you unlock a wealth of knowledge, diverse perspectives, and invaluable connections.

Embrace the power of mentorship in all its forms, and together, we can shape a brighter future for ourselves and those around us.