Mentorship matters: fostering the next generation of women leaders
Women in senior leadership and high profile roles are at a record high, yet despite this women are still significantly under-represented in management roles here in the UK and globally.
According to Grant Thornton’s Women in Business 2023 report, just 32.4% of senior management positions in mid-market businesses are held by women, and this figure is expected to grow by an underwhelming 1.6% in the next few years.
So, how can senior female professionals support other women in business to help elevate their position and influence in business? One answer is via mentorship.
What makes a good mentor?
When senior managers become mentors for the next generation, they help to build confidence, enable skill development, encourage networking opportunities and break down barriers. They can also guide career development and encourage new ways of thinking.
A good mentor possesses a combination of qualities, skills and characteristics that enable them to effectively guide, support and inspire their mentees, including:
Sanctuary: providing a non-judgemental safe space for their protégé to share openly and be heard.
Open book: willingly sharing the narratives of their own adversities and triumphs to allow the mentee to benefit from their experience.
Curator of confidence: with their emotional intelligence, a good mentor can demonstrate how failure is part of growth and look to fortify self-belief in the learner's own ability and potential.
A catalyst for learning: encouraging a life-long curiosity and energy for knowledge and experience.
Champion opportunity: a cheerleader opening doors and creating new contacts and possibilities to help elevate the mentee’s profile.
How to become a mentor to others and elevate women into senior leadership positions
If you’re hoping to make a meaningful impact by mentoring the future generation of women leaders, here are some thoughts and strategies to help you on this transformative journey:
Articulate it: decide which areas of your experience, knowledge and skills can be of most value — be they technical prowess, leadership acumen or industry-specific insights. Let people in your network know your mentoring specialities so they can connect you with possible mentees or spread the word about you.
Learn more: be open to learning more about how to be a great mentor and hone your skills. You could start by looking for TED talks, such as Why the Power of Mentoring Can Change the World by Shirley LIU (see video below); online communities such as The Female Factor or Women Leaders, or webinars, forums and training resources for example, Routes offer mentor coaching.
Demonstrate thought leadership by publishing regularly: write or share articles, blogs or papers on LinkedIn that echo your expertise and perspectives. Consider having a web presence to showcase your career insights, expertise and mentorship offerings.
Explore existing programmes: there may be an initiative within your own organisation you could join, and many industry associations and professional bodies also run mentorship schemes to link experienced individuals with those seeking guidance, such as POWERful Women, The Girls’ Network and Femme Palette.
Volunteer: approach educational institutions to offer mentorship opportunities to students or young professionals through vocational training programs, workshops or career days. NGOs and Non-Profits may be eager to use your skills and knowledge to benefit those embarking on entrepreneurial journeys or seeking career development in underprivileged communities.
But what if you simply don’t have the time?
Mentoring, fostering and inspiring the next generation of women to achieve senior leadership positions can help to drive change and ensure the future workplace better reflects gender equality. By offering guidance and support and providing opportunities, mentors continue to break down the barriers of gender equity.
However, if adding more responsibilities to an already demanding work life is a non-starter for you currently, the team at Consider it Done can allow you to succeed at home, to free up the time and mindspace you need.
Contact us now to find out more about the ways we can support you.