How I came to love mentoring people, and why you should too
When I was a student and later transitioning into the professional world, I benefited from invaluable guidance that supported the beginning of my professional journey. Looking back, it’s evident that mentorship, though not explicitly termed as such, played a pivotal role in my early growth. Fast forward a couple of decades, and I now find myself paying it forward as a mentor. This evolution helped me realize how the essence of mentorship was in the mutual learning experience between mentor and mentee.
During my student days in Berlin, the generosity of fellow students and experienced adults helped me navigate unfamiliar territories, such as tailoring my CV to German standards and understanding a different working culture. At the time, I may not have used the term “mentorship,” but the meaning was there. These early experiences laid the foundation for my belief in the power of guidance and support. I had another strong experience a decade later, in my very first management role right in the middle of the financial crisis. My own manager gave me a lot of insights and wisdom that I still find myself using today. Then again, I had another manager in whose team I stayed for 8 years. I learned a lot from her as well when it came to leading large teams while taking care of her own middle managers, and handling corporate uncertainty.
When it comes to peer mentoring, I need to mention my fellow students at the HEC Executive MBA and HEC Coaching school, whose life and professional experiences taught me so much. We learned to share our own insights and expertise and continue to support each others even after the program is finished.
Years later, I had the privilege of participating in a program supporting young professionals of diverse backgrounds through a non-profit organization called “Nos Quartiers Ont du Talent” (“Our Neighborhoods got Talent”). This experience marked a shift from being a mentee to a mentor. The purpose was to help young professionals from diverse background navigate their first job search and improve their chances of getting recruited faster. What became apparent was that, beyond the tangible assistance of refining resumes, preparing to interviews or expanding networks, what they truly needed was encouragement, moral support, and coaching.
Using the term “coaching” deliberately, I realized that some mentees didn’t seek advice as much as they needed someone to help them analyze their potential choices objectively. Navigating the intricacies of a career path is a personal journey, and offering a guiding hand without imposing opinions proved to be a significant aspect of effective mentorship.
What positively surprised me very quickly was the reciprocal learning it facilitated. Engaging in conversations about their aspirations, supporting them through setbacks, and helping them reflect on their choices provided me with a fresh perspective on my own career and life decisions. The courage and hope, and very clear talent, exhibited by these young professionals, regardless of age or background, inspired me and instilled a renewed sense of purpose.
One of the most rewarding facets of mentorship is what I refer to as “the rule of mentorship” or “the price to pay.” Having received support from experienced individuals when I was a novice, I convey to my mentees that, in time, they too will be in a position to offer guidance to those following in their footsteps. It’s a cycle of support that perpetuates growth and development across generations, which is something that brings me immense hope for the future.
Of course, as a manager I also try to keep this approach but I have to admit it is more difficult because you are constantly facing the daily urgencies and ongoing projects that you and your team are in charge of, or taking part into. Nonetheless, it is crucial to help your team members grow in their own areas of responsibility and to open new ones for them to learn, while supporting them in their decision-making and their tasks.
Whether or not your company has a formal mentorship program, I strongly encourage individuals to engage in mentorship privately. The act of being useful to others not only contributes to their growth but also serves as a continuous source of personal development. Mentorship, in its purest form, transcends professional boundaries and becomes a journey of shared experiences, wisdom, and a commitment to fostering a supportive community.
