The Importance of Mentoring

Empowering young women and encouraging their transformational power should be a priority for the global agenda, as it creates a virtuous circle of well-being in society. Women invest in their family’s education and health when they acquire financial autonomy, in this way, they provide new opportunities for a brighter future.

Women still face discrimination in the labor market. Entering the job market and participating more in the economy is not enough. Women should also occupy leading strategic positions. Equality is not only a matter of justice, but a smart move towards spurring growth within a company.

Mentoring is a useful step towards breaking the barriers that women are facing in their professional development. The term mentoring might seem far-fetched, but it is vital to build bridges so that talented girls and women have positive role models with inspiring skills, values and attitudes.

I find that good mentors are:

1. Encouraging and supportive

You do not have to be a prominent CEO or have an elevated position in your company to become a mentor. We all know what it means to start from scratch in the professional world. If you are a woman in a male-dominated field, -such as STEMS — it will take a lot of determination and character to succeed. Support and encourage them. Share strategies that helped you overcome obstacles. When your mentees face a particularly challenging stage, stand beside them, remind them of their value and let them know you can be a sounding board for them.

2. Active, non-judgmental listeners

Being a mentor doesn’t mean giving endless opinions and advice. It often happens that having someone who can listen while you sort out your thoughts, emotions and difficulties, can prompt solutions to your issues. Be there to listen without being judgmental.

3. Impulse to take calculated risks

Stepping out of our comfort zone and going beyond what we thought possible can make us realize that everything can be set in motion with the right attitude. Succeeding involves a lot of decision-making, as well as breaking away from patterns of indecisiveness or procrastination. Achievement involves making mistakes. Each wrong turn can be turned into a lesson. We become wiser when we take risks and accept the consequences.

4. Offer a broader perspective

When you walk the talk, you can see things from another perspective. Offering a broader viewpoint can be enlightening to others. Mentors who are willing to share their life experiences, along with the wisdom acquired through their failures and gains leave an invaluable legacy to new generations.

5. Act humble

The learning process between mentor and mentee flows in both directions. As I said before, your experience can be enlightening for younger generations, but their fresh eyes can also help you think outside the box. They can show you that not everything is written on stone and that new viable leadership styles exist.

Being a mentor empowers new generations. It is a refreshing experience that triggers a cycle of creativity and innovation.