What is a mentor relationship? Traditionally, seasoned professionals assist newer employees in skills and industry best practices. Today, reverse mentorships are of increasing value. What is reverse mentoring?
According to Techopedia, “Reverse mentoring refers to an initiative in which older executives are paired with and mentored by younger employees on topics such as technology, social media and current trends. In the tech industry or other businesses that rely heavily on technology, reverse-mentoring is seen as a way to bring older employees up to speed in areas that are often second nature to 20-something employees, whose lives have been more deeply integrated with computers and the Web.”
Benefits of Reverse Mentoring
Reverse mentoring closes the knowledge gap, stops ‘us versus them’ thinking, and brings generations closer together. Older employees learn social media and current trends. The younger person learns business terminology and industry practices. Reverse mentoring empowers emerging and established leaders.
How to Do It
Identify the need, skill gap, or lack of clarity in your organization. The senior member should approach the younger team member. The more specific the request, the better.
Determine when, where, and for how long they will meet. This should be consistent. Regular meetings with calendar requests and agenda items will make it more likely that mentor and mentee show up—and come prepared.
The senior member must remember to thank the younger mentor and vice versa. When either succeed on a project, both should be praised.
