The power of mentorship in leadership development

Leadership is not just about authority; it is about influence, vision, and the ability to guide generations toward success.  Great leaders aren’t born—they’re shaped by experience, guidance, and the wisdom of those who came before them.

Mentorship has long been a cornerstone of leadership growth, dating back to ancient Greece, where Socrates mentored Plato. Fast forward to the tech revolution, and we see Steve Jobs guiding Mark Zuckerberg, helping him build one of the largest companies in the world. Yet, mentorship is just as crucial for women. A great example is Oprah Winfrey, who was mentored by civil rights leader and renowned poet Maya Angelou. Oprah often described Angelou as a “mentor-mother-sister-friend” who supported her both personally and professionally.

These examples highlight how mentorship has played a pivotal role in shaping innovators and changemakers. But what makes it such a powerful force in leadership development? Let’s explore why having the right mentor can make all the difference.

Leadership vs. Mentoring

Before delving into the importance of mentorship in leadership development, it is essential to understand the differences between these two concepts. While leadership and mentorship are closely related, they serve distinct purposes in personal and professional development.

Defining Leadership

Leadership is the ability to influence, inspire, and guide a group of individuals toward a common goal or vision. According to Nick Barney’s definition of “leadership”, it is ‘the ability of an individual or a group of people to influence and guide followers or members of an organisation, society or team. Leadership often is an attribute tied to a person’s title, seniority or ranking in a hierarchy. However, it’s an attribute anyone can have or attain, even those without leadership positions. It’s a developable skill that can be improved over time’.

A leader provides direction, makes critical decisions, and motivates others to achieve success, often by providing feedback. Leadership exists in various settings, including business, politics, sports, and community organisations. Leaders can emerge naturally or be appointed to formal positions, but their primary role is to lead and drive action.

Defining Mentorship

Mentorship is a relationship in which an experienced individual (mentor) provides guidance, support, and advice to a less experienced person (mentee). 

Mentorship is a professional, working alliance in which individuals work together over time to support the personal and professional growth, development, and success of the relational partners through the provision of career and psychosocial support.

- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2019. The Science of Effective Mentorship in STEMM. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. 

Unlike leadership, mentorship is more personal, focusing on long-term growth and skill development. Usually, mentorship is done through guidance, support, knowledge sharing, and a long-term relationship. In mentorship, it is crucial to focus on career growth and personal development to help mentees build confidence and professional maturity. It is important to note that a mentor does not have direct authority over a mentee but acts as a trusted advisor.

Three C’s of Mentorship

Many sources highlight key values that drive mentorship forward, including context, compassion, courage, and curiosity. However, the most commonly referenced ones are known as the ‘3 C’s of Mentorship’:

1. Clarity - having clear expectations and goals is the first step towards a successful mentorship. Both the mentor and the mentee should be aware of the relationship’s goals, areas of concentration, and purpose.
2. Communication - open, sincere, and productive communication is essential to effective mentoring. It should be easy for both sides to exchange ideas, difficulties, and criticism.
3. Commitment - both, the mentor as well as manatee, must be committed to the relationship. In addition to the mentee’s willingness to learn and act, the mentor should be dedicated to offering assistance and direction.

The Purpose of Leadership Mentorship

The primary goal of leadership mentoring is to assist in the development of future leaders within an organisation by offering direction, encouragement, and the opportunity to learn from experienced leaders. Since the mentor is guiding them, manatees can observe what excellent leadership looks like through leadership mentorship.

Therefore, referring to the aforementioned, leadership and mentorship are interconnected. Great leaders often take on mentorship roles to develop future leaders. As per Buckinghamshire Health & Social Care Academy, a non-profit partnership organisation which focuses on optimising health and social care workforce education, ‘mentorship can be the most effective way to build leadership skills’. Effective mentors demonstrate leadership qualities by inspiring and guiding others. A leader who mentors fosters a culture of learning, growth, and succession planning within an organisation.

Benefits of Leadership Mentoring

As specified by Christopher “CJ” Gross for Harvard Business Review, 90% of workers who have a career mentor are content at work, and 75% of executives attribute their success to mentors. Mentorship can benefit not only mentees but also organisations as it plays a crucial role in leadership development. Here are some of the key advantages: 

Employees benefits:

• Accelerated professional growth
• Skill and career development
• Knowledge transfer 
• Network expansion
• Confidence building
• Enhanced decision-making abilities
• Increased self-confidence

Organisational benefits:

• Improved talent retention
• Stronger leadership pipeline
• Enhanced innovation
• Upskilled current leaders
• Culture of learning and development

Furthermore, a study by the University of Cambridge Judge Business School found that mentoring significantly improves mental health and reduces anxiety for both mentors and mentees. This highlights that mentorship is not only beneficial for career growth and skill development but also plays a crucial role in fostering emotional well-being.

Key Qualities of an Effective Leadership Mentor

Is there such a thing as the perfect leadership mentor? There isn’t a single, universal solution but the most successful mentors have certain features in common. Experience, emotional intelligence, and a sincere desire to mentor others are all key qualities they share. They set an example by acting with honesty, fortitude, and flexibility while paying attention and offering constructive feedback.

According to Harvard University, one of the most important skills that leaders today need to have is empathy. Empathy is essential in helping mentors understand their mentees’ unique challenges and offer tailored support. They foster confidence by empowering mentees to take initiative, make informed decisions, and navigate their careers with clarity.

A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself

- Oprah Winfrey

Strong mentors also encourage continuous learning, facilitate networking, and advocate for their mentees’ success. By offering strategic insights and professional guidance, they help shape the next generation of leaders, equipping them with the skills to excel.

The Importance of Female Mentorship 

Women often face gender bias, unequal opportunities, and balancing work-life pressures, and having a mentor who has navigated these obstacles can provide invaluable guidance and confidence. As Angelou was for Winfrey, female mentors can be a huge support, they act as powerful role models, showing that success is possible despite the barriers women may face in their careers. Their experiences offer inspiration, allowing mentees to aspire to higher positions and believe in their potential. 

For instance, the ‘Go Beyond’ mentoring programme for women in STEM gives female students in their last year of study advice on how to confidently enter their future STEM careers and insight into the field they are interested in. As per the AnitaB.org Institute, 77% of women in technology who have mentors are more likely to remain in the field after three years.

In addition to providing a secure environment for open conversations about challenges, fears, and professional aspirations, mentoring promotes development and trust. By assisting mentees with leadership, skill development, and career advancement, female mentors help increase the number of women in leadership positions. Mentoring encourages diversity and inclusion by creating networks of support, enabling upcoming generations of women to confidently lead.

The Future of Mentorship

Mentorship has a huge potential to shape future generations of leaders. As mentioned in the introduction, leaders aren’t born—they are developed through guidance, support, and the influence of strong mentors. Forbes reports that millennials (entered the workforce during the 2008 financial crisis) are the most likely to leave jobs due to poor management, followed closely by Gen Z (currently entering the workforce). As of last year’s data, millennials comprised 35% of the workforce, and by 2025, they are expected to represent 75% globally so organisations should ensure they understand their employee’s needs, and provide the support they need.

This highlights the importance of strong leadership and management development to help organisations retain top talent, which can be done through the correct mentorship. As per Deloitte’s survey on millennials, over 90% of those who have a mentor say that the advice they receive is of high quality (94%) and that they have shown interest in their growth (91%). 83% of people who have mentors are content with this area of their professional lives.

Morson has dedicated and experienced mentors who support the growth and development of future talent. Find out more about Morson’s mentoring here.

If you would like to learn more about the importance of female mentors, join us on the IWD Event.