The Power of Mentorship: Lifting Each Other Up

Mentorship can be a transformative experience, especially for women navigating the complexities of leadership and personal growth. When we have someone in our corner—a mentor to provide guidance, encouragement, and perspective—the possibilities for growth expand exponentially. Throughout my own career, mentors have been an incredible source of support and inspiration. From learning how to approach new challenges to gaining the confidence to step into leadership roles, I’ve seen firsthand how impactful mentorship can be.

As we strive to build stronger communities of empowered women, it’s clear that mentorship is a critical piece of the puzzle. However, not everyone has access to this powerful resource. On average, 24% of women leaders have had a formal mentor, compared to 30% of men. This gap is even more striking at the senior level, where only 27% of women have had a formal mentor, compared to 38% of men. By sharing stories of mentorship’s impact and providing tips on how to become an effective mentor or mentee, we can start to bridge this gap and encourage more women to support each other.

Real Stories of Mentorship in Action

Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to have incredible mentors who helped me gain clarity in my career path, encouraged me to take risks, and offered invaluable insights along the way. One mentor, in particular, pushed me to apply for a leadership role that I initially thought was beyond my reach. She helped me see my strengths and challenged me to envision a larger impact for myself. That experience changed my perspective entirely—it showed me how mentorship could instill a deep sense of confidence and courage that I could carry into future roles.

Mentorship is something I want to pass on to the next generation, through my work here at EmpowHer Collective and at home with my daughters. They participate in Project Friendship in Northfield, where college students from St. Olaf and Carleton Colleges serve as mentors to these two future female leaders. This program has made a difference in my daughters’ confidence and perspective. They come home feeling inspired and supported, knowing they have someone outside the family who believes in them and can guide them through life’s challenges. They are developing positive relationships with adults outside our family and broadening their own networks. Programs like Project Friendship remind me of how essential it is for young girls to feel seen and supported.

The Mentorship Advantage: Building Confidence from a Young Age

Mentorship can be especially powerful for young girls. According to Etre, 83% of girls with a mentor say they’re more confident trying out for a new sports team, compared to 59% of girls without a mentor. Confidence is a skill that can be nurtured, and mentors play a critical role in helping young women and girls take risks, try new things, and grow through challenges.

Yet despite the importance of mentorship, girls’ confidence levels have seen a significant decline in recent years. Ruling Our eXperiences found that girls’ confidence has dropped over the past six years, while time spent on social media has increased. This shift points to an urgent need for mentorship programs that can offer young girls real, positive role models who help them see their worth beyond social media metrics.

Mentorship provides a space where young girls can develop a growth mindset, learn to persevere, and believe in their ability to achieve.

Becoming a Mentor or Mentee: Tips for a Successful Mentorship Experience

Mentorship is a two-way street. Whether you’re stepping into the role of a mentor or looking for one, here are some tips to ensure a meaningful and impactful experience:

Tips for Mentors:

• Listen first: A great mentor listens more than they speak. Let your mentee share their challenges, goals, and aspirations before offering guidance.
• Encourage growth mindset: Help your mentee see setbacks as learning opportunities. Encouraging a growth mindset will build their confidence and resilience.
• Share your own challenges: Mentorship isn’t about appearing perfect; it’s about being real. Sharing your own experiences and challenges makes you relatable and builds trust.
• Set goals together: Establish goals early in the relationship so your mentee has something tangible to work toward. Revisit these goals periodically to track progress.

Tips for Mentees:

• Be open to feedback: Growth requires an openness to feedback, so try to view constructive criticism as an opportunity for improvement.
• Take initiative: Don’t wait for your mentor to set the agenda—come prepared with questions or topics to discuss. Take ownership of your growth journey.
• Show appreciation: Mentors often volunteer their time, so show gratitude for their support. Small gestures like a thank-you note go a long way.
• Stay committed: Mentorship relationships are most effective when they’re consistent. Show up regularly and stay committed to the process.

Inspiring a New Generation of Women Leaders

As I continue on my journey with EmpowHer Collective, I’m reminded of the incredible impact that mentorship has had on my own career and on those around me. Mentorship is about more than guidance; it’s about empowerment, shared experiences, and a commitment to lifting others as we climb. Together, we can change the statistics, close the mentorship gap, and inspire more women to take their places in leadership roles.

In the words of EmpowHer, mentorship is a powerful way for women to connect, lead, and inspire. Let’s continue to build these connections, nurture confidence in young girls and women, and create a future where more women have the support they need to reach their full potential.