Many organizations realize that more diversity of thought is needed to stay in tune with the times. But how can this be done in a way that both you and your company can benefit? The generations born after 1981, Gen Y (also known as Millennials) and Gen Z, are tech savvy and much more open to the future and what’s possible than many of us Gen X’ers. I am always amazed at what their go-to is and how many Gen X’ers waste time on tasks that you could simply automate to create space for more strategic or creative thinking.
Mentors need not always be further ahead in their careers to be part of your support system. Having a mentor/mentee relationship in different generational groups can provide new insights and perspectives.
Here are five ways to find a reverse mentor:
- See if your current mentees are open to a reverse mentor engagement where you take turns mentoring each other. The benefit of a reverse mentorship comes from you teaching them leadership and coaching skills while helping them build their confidence and capabilities so much more than you might realize
- Don’t always focus on the most visible high potentials – your engagement with them may showcase hidden talent in your organization.
- Look around your organization for someone you can invite for coffee (in-person or virtual).
- As Patty Azzarello suggests in her book, “Rise”, if you are over 40 years old, seek out someone who’s recently finished school and is up on the latest technology – someone who is willing to brainstorm ideas and walk you through how they work to see how you can adapt to your area.
- Seek an opportunity to showcase the work you did together with your peers and leaders and highlight the talent the individual brings. Bonus: This will give you the opportunity to coach them and help them present the work with your support – a win-win.
- Please stay connected with them, as they may become lifelong personal supporters.
My experience with reverse mentors:
- I seek to learn and grow from all sorts of people, but honestly, the more recent grads amaze me, and I love to engage with them in many of the projects and initiatives – they are 100% part of my support system.
- My son, at 16 years old, embraces technology and future possibilities at a rate I could not have imagined at his age. He is one of my most prominent teachers and he helps me critically think of ways I can apply technology to my work.
- My team. Honestly, I learn every day from my team and the capabilities and understanding of social media, technical applications, and the sheer productivity optimization they demonstrate. They mentor me just as much as I coach and support them.
Companies have started embracing reverse mentorship for their executives and I challenge you to do the same. No matter how large or small your organization is, or what level you fill above the individual, there is always a place in your support system for one or more reverse mentors.
The three types of mentors, known as your support Who’s, shared in the first three parts of the Your Personal Support System series: senior mentors, peer mentors, and now, reverse mentors, are only a subset of people you should consider for your support system.
Stay tuned for our next post on Your Personal Support System – Part 4: Coaches.
Connect with Penny on LinkedIn or check out www.theizzyway.ca for more of her collection of blog posts