Every 8th of March, the world celebrates International Women's Day. A day set aside to recognise the accomplishments of women everywhere, and to focus on the challenges that still need to be addressed in order to achieve gender parity. This year, Peer Pioneers is marking this day with a new, special initiative - international women's day mentoring.
What is mentoring?
Mentoring is a relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person helps to guide a less experienced or less knowledgeable person. It's a way for people to learn from their peers, and to develop their skills and knowledge in a more informal setting. Mentoring can be a powerful tool for career development, and can help to foster a sense of community and support for women in business.
Why mentor?
If you're wondering why you should mentor someone, here are some good reasons:
- Mentoring can help you to develop your skills and knowledge.
- Mentoring can help you to build relationships with other professionals.
- Mentoring can help you to give back to your community.
- Mentoring can be a powerful tool for career development.
- Mentoring can help to foster a sense of community and support for women in business.
Who can mentor?
Anyone can mentor someone else - you don't have to be an expert in your field to help someone else learn and grow. If you're interested in mentoring, here are some tips to get you started:
- Figure out what you want to get out of the mentoring relationship.
- Find a suitable mentor
- someone who is experienced and knowledgeable in the areas you want to learn more about.
- Schedule regular meetings with your mentor, and make sure to communication regularly between meetings.
- Make the most of your mentoring relationship
- ask lots of questions, and be willing to learn.-Give back to your mentor - share what you've learned with other people, and help to mentor others.
Leadership
In honor of this day, many companies and organizations offer mentorship opportunities to help aspiring women leaders advance their careers.
Mentorship is a beneficial relationship in which a more experienced individual provides guidance and advice to a less experienced individual. The mentor-protégé dynamic can provide the protégé with a range of skills and insights, including but not limited to: leadership development, problem solving, networking, and career planning.
The benefits of mentorship are clear, but many women still hesitate to ask for help. One reason may be that they feel they need to be already experts in their field in order to receive guidance. However, this is not the case. A good mentor will not only be knowledgeable in their field, but also be patient and willing to share their experience and expertise.
If you are interested in finding a mentor, or in becoming a mentor yourself, there are a number of resources available. The most effective way to find a mentor is through personal connections, so start by asking your friends, family, and colleagues if they know anyone who might be a good fit. Online databases and directories, such as those offered by the not for profit organisations can also be helpful in finding a mentor.
If you are a mentor, remember that the most important thing is to be supportive and helpful. Listen to your protégé, offer advice, and provide resources when needed. Be patient, and remember that progress takes time.
How can I get involved in International Women's Day Mentoring?
If you're interested in setting up a your International Women's Day Mentoring chapter, contact your HR department or us to find out how you can get started.
Find out more about our mentoring software or book a demo
