How to start Reverse Mentoring?
When you are given the task to mentor senior employees in today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving workplace, learning becomes a two-way street where both senior and junior employees can mentor each other. Reverse mentoring is a dynamic process where younger professionals mentor their more experienced colleagues. It has emerged as a powerful tool for fostering cross-generational collaboration and growth. Starting a reverse mentoring relationship can help bridge knowledge gaps, enhance digital skills, and bring fresh perspectives to the table. Whether you’re a seasoned professional eager to stay current or a young employee ready to share your expertise, understanding how to start reverse mentoring is key to unlocking mutual growth and success in your career.
Assess readiness and set goals
First of all, check whether you are open to learning and mentoring. This requires self-assessment. In reverse mentoring both the mentor and mentee should engage in self assessment and goal setting to ensure the relationship is productive and beneficial. The mentor assesses their strengths, experiences, and areas for development while the mentee identifies areas where they can learn from the mentor’s unique perspectives.
During goal setting, mentors can set goals related to sharing knowledge, providing feedback, and helping the mentee learn new skills and techniques. Goals should align with the mentee’s needs of development and the objectives of the program.
Identify suitable mentors and mentees
Ask for the first meeting. 76% of people say that mentors are important yet only 37% of them actually have one (Source: Harvard Business Review). Why is there a gap? Most people are afraid to ask for that initial meeting. There is a fear of rejection. This has increased with the pandemic, and it takes some time to find the right mentor. There may be shyness and ego associated with reaching out to younger people for help. If you’re feeling shy to do this in person, the best way to reach out is by sending an email. You’ve to nurture this relationship to maintain the mentorship in the long run. Find the right mentor by looking at their skills, experiences and qualifications. You can select professionals who align with your learning needs. There must be some compatibility in personality and willingness to work together as well.
Initiate the relationship
As mentioned earlier, you can begin the relationship with an email. You can ask for a chat over coffee. You can ask for video chats through online platforms. Start the conversation casually with a friendly tone. Ask your potential mentor about how they would like to spend their weekends and holidays, what their hobbies are, and about their likes and dislikes. Getting on a personal level with your mentor can be positive because many of them would like to talk about these things rather than getting down to business immediately. Towards the middle of the first meeting you can start talking about careers. Highlight which areas you would like to grow in your field. At the end of the first meeting you can summarise their advice to show your interest in what they had to say. Send a thank you note or email a week after the meeting. A few weeks after the meeting you can tell your mentor that you put their advice into practice and how it went. Set boundaries and expectations earlier in the relationship. Discuss about preferred meeting channels and frequency.
Structure your reverse mentoring program
Deciding on meeting formats whether it’s going to be in-person, virtual, informal chats, or structured sessions. Discuss when you’re going to meet. If it’s going to be weekly or bi-weekly or monthly or yearly. Create an agenda or topics list for each session to stay focused. A successful reverse mentoring program requires careful planning and execution, focusing on clear goals, appropriate matching and ongoing support. Keep tracking your progress by listing the tasks you did according to the mentor’s advice and evaluate success. Collect feedback from the mentee about your mentorship skills. Both mentor and mentee can improve their performance by this. Share success stories and celebrate achievements. Mentors can celebrate mentees’ improvements and achievements and how many mentees they’ve mentored so far. Mentees can celebrate their achievements when they see improvements in their work.
If you’re ready to become a mentor or mentee, you can now find jobs at CareerFirst.lk You can search for similar content and courses at our website. For the latest job notifications from private organisations, government ministries and international institutions, follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
“A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.” - Oprah Winfrey
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is reverse mentoring?
Reverse mentoring is a workplace practice where younger professionals mentor senior colleagues, often sharing knowledge about technology, social media, industry trends, and fresh perspectives, while also learning business skills and insights from the mentees.
2. Who can participate in reverse mentoring?
Any professional regardless of age or seniority, can participate as long as they are open to learning and sharing knowledge. Younger employees typically serve as mentors, and senior employees as mentees, but the relationship is mutually beneficial.
3. How do I know if I’m ready to start reverse mentoring?
Start with self-assessment. Ask yourself if you are willing to listen, share openly, and commit time to the process. Both mentor and mentee should identify their goals and be open to constructive feedback.
4. How can I find the right reverse mentor or mentee?
Look for someone whose skills, experiences, and personality align with your learning goals. Compatibility, willingness to work together, and openness to collaboration are key.
5. What’s the best way to initiate a reverse mentoring relationship?
If in-person feels intimidating, start with an email or message requesting a casual meeting. Use the first conversation to build rapport before discussing career topics and goals.