Diversity is proven to impact business. But have you considered how diversity can benefit your mentoring journey?
In a recent study, Olivet Nazarene University found that:
69% of women and 82% of men say their mentors are the same gender.
81% of mentors are in the same industry
and…61% of mentors are in the same company.
As human beings, we are consistently drawn to mentors (and people) that are similar to us….that’s just human nature. It’s easier to connect with and build a relationship of mutual trust and respect with someone we feel “comfortable” with. I get it. But consider the benefits of getting out of your comfort zone and find a mentor that has a different perspective.
Intuit found that “Diverse (people) bring a far-reaching set of life experiences and backgrounds to the table, meaning they’re often looking at life through a different lens. That different perspective can open up new ways to solve challenges or address problems.”
And Harvard Business Review claims that diversity unlocks innovation and fosters out of the box thinking.
So, how do you diversify your mentoring journey?
1) Seek out a mentor that is different from you….different gender, different generation, different nationality, different field of study, different company, different industry.
2) Commit to building a relationship based on mutual trust and respect. This begins with rapport, and it’s built over time. Don’t just conduct one meeting and convince yourself how “awkward” it is. Commit to having at least 3-5 meetings. The first couple of meetings may be awkward; but in time, you may find camaraderie, or at least some commonalities.
3) Learn and keep trying…. And if you don’t forge a relationship, that’s ok, too. Sometimes discussions about a topic on which you disagree develop into new perspectives and insights. Move on and seek out another mentor that is different from you!
If you have other ideas on how to diversify your mentoring journey, please share them with me.
Enjoy your mentoring journey!
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash