LSBR Blog
How women can find mentors in the workplace
Most would agree connecting with the right mentor can help propel your career. Studies show women who have a mentor get more promotions, achieve higher pay and report increased happiness at work. Hence this article on “How women can find mentors in the workplace” see more traction One of the recent research report suggest that women gain more social capital from affiliation with a high-status mentor than their male counterparts. However, a Development Dimension International (DDI) study found that “although 78 percent of women in senior roles served as formal mentors at one time or another, very few of them had a formal mentor of their own.” An overwhelming 63 percent of women in the study reported that they have never had a formal mentor. This is cause for concern considering 67 percent of women surveyed rated mentorship as highly important in helping to advance their careers. So what can women do to find influential mentors? Here are a few tips.
Don’t be afraid to ask Emilie Arel —CEO of Fullbeauty Brands —says that one of the things that women who aspire to move up in the organisation need to get over is the perception that they have to know everything there is to know. “I think that a lot of times, as women in particular, we come into a situation—it could be my first time as CEO, or my first time as a vice president, or the first day of my MBA classes—thinking that to get a seat at the table, we have to know everything,” says Emilie. “That is just not the case. The more experiences you put yourself in, and more confidence you build around different groups of people, the more you realise you’re worth it and can—and should—ask for what you want.” “Ultimately, this boils down to confidence—having it, building it, nurturing it. When opportunities arrive on our doorstep, we need to take them and not shy away, thinking we are for some reason undeserving or unqualified,” adds Kellie McElhaney, Distinguished Teaching Fellow and the Founding Director of the Centre for Equity, Gender and Leadership. If you are impressed with the way a colleague conducted a meeting or handled a certain situation, let them know. If you think this person could be a good potential mentor for you, don’t be afraid to ask. Be clear about the guidance you’re seeking. Do you want coaching on how to deal with key issues you face in the workplace, are you hoping this person can connect you to industry leaders to expand your network, or are you simply looking for recommendations for reading and other resources to grow your skillset? LSBR.UK
