I recently met Catalina Gaete, an energetic entrepreneur beginning a new phase in life and career - leaving her corporate job to focus full-time on her start-up business (Catan Pisco), and she’s getting married in October. Cat has a great story, an inspiring story and a very successful future ahead of her.
When I told her about my solopreneur business focused on mentoring, she said she was very interested in learning more, but also asked why I wasn’t more focused in my approach? Why was I not particularly focused on helping women understand the value of mentoring and empowering women to take this intentional and deliberate approach to finding and building mentoring relationships.
Great question Cat!
Her question led me to do a bit of research and uncovered an enlightening piece from DDI “Women as Mentors – does she or doesn’t she?”. This research reveals that while it is widely recognized that mentoring is imperative for business success, the majority of women are NOT seeking mentors. Furthermore, the study reveals the “why not” and what we as individuals and organizations can do about it.
Here are my take-aways:
Women need to ask to be mentored! “Why are so many opportunities for mentoring being missed? According to the hundreds of women who responded, it isn’t because they aren’t willing to mentor; it’s that they are not being asked.”
Mentoring is not necessarily about subject matter and technical expertise that the mentee needs, it’s more about the core leadership skills like influencing, working through problems, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
And my favorite which inspired me to action
Women in top leadership positions must be courageous and make themselves available as mentors in order to ensure mentoring happens.
Thank you Cat for your question! I am energized and inspired to help more women understand the value of mentoring and take steps forward…both as mentors and as mentees!