Female Mentoring: How Different Approaches Can Support Women

What image comes to mind when you hear the word “mentor”? I can’t help but imagine Yoda, a legendary Jedi Grand Master, training Luke Skywalker (please, tell me I’m not alone in this). If you have similar images in mind, you might think that mentoring is not your thing, as it seems to require full immersion and undivided attention (developing Jedi abilities is no mean feat, huh?).

However, modern female mentoring programs are quite diverse, offering various formats to anyone’s liking. If you doubt the necessity of having a mentor, consider this: of those with a mentor, 97% say they find them valuable. A female mentor can provide informed advice and guidance on women-specific challenges.

Why Having a Female Mentor Can Be a Game-Changer for You

We can’t ignore the fact that women are still subject to stereotypes that limit their opportunities. Some biases are deeply entrenched in our society, resulting in specific challenges that only women face:

The Second Shift

Despite the progress made in women's rights, true equality has yet to be achieved. A unique work-life balance challenge remains common among many women, as they are expected to fulfill traditional gender roles at home while excelling in their careers. This leads to emotional burnout, a lack of me-time, and a state of exhaustion. A female mentor won’t dismiss the second shift burden as insignificant.

How a female mentor can make a difference?  In this context, having a female mentor who is familiar with gender-specific challenges can be invaluable. With her support, you’ll learn to prioritize personal goals and gradually transform your after-work hours into a more fulfilling experience.

The Glass Ceiling

The problem of underrepresenting women in leading positions is not a relic from the past. Even though women graduate from universities in greater numbers than men, there are only around 34% of women who hold senior management roles. While women have gained modest but meaningful changes at higher corporate levels, it will take 50 years for all women to achieve gender parity in senior and C-suite roles.

How a female mentor can make a difference? Some women have broken through these invisible barriers and reached back to mentor other women in their career journeys. If personal guidance is not possible, we can always enjoy female mentoring programs created by these successful women. By the joint efforts of those who made it and those who are in the process, we can create a more equitable workplace.

Gender Pay Gap

On average, women are paid 12% less than men, even if their qualifications are the same. On the one hand, this fact stems from fewer women advancing on the corporate ladder; on the other hand, women are often subject to stereotypes: women are focused on family and therefore can’t properly pull their weight in an organization, women are emotionally unstable, women are worse leaders than men. 

How a female mentor can make a difference? Being assisted by a female mentor, you can improve your negotiating skills if you decide to ask for a promotion or a pay rise. Female mentoring programs are proven to be effective for female promotion prospects-5% to 38% compared to non-mentored employees.

Health-Related Issues

There are lots of health challenges women face: severe menstrual symptoms, hormonal changes, menopause symptoms, pregnancy-related issues, and postpartum challenges. All these issues care stigma in society, and women often feel uncomfortable discussing them with others, which can lead to silencing problems and isolation.

How a female mentor can make a difference: A holistic mentorship for women from a female expert can be remarkably healing.  Along with health or nutrition guidance, you get emotional support from someone who truly understands you.

Famous Female Mentors: Inspiration from the Best

Did you know that many renowned leaders have also been mentors? Famous female mentors like Oprah Winfrey and Sheryl Sandberg have inspired countless women by sharing their journeys and offering guidance. Highlighting their stories can remind us of the power of mentorship in shaping successful futures.

Yoda or Galadriel? Choose Your Mentoring Format

As we mentioned before, Yoda's mentoring style is not the only effective strategy. If you are curious to know more about mentoring formats, I invite you to have fun and resort to popular culture for a better understanding.

Yoda and One-on-One Mentoring

A traditional mentoring format where one mentor works with one mentee. Although such an intense focus on aims helps people to excel, it’s not for everyone: those would benefit from individual mentoring who, like Luke Skywalker, aimed at becoming a Jedi Knight, are ambitious and goal-oriented individuals.

Professor Dumbledore and Group Mentoring

A mentor facilitates professional or personal development within a group of mentees. Without a doubt, Dumbledore is a great example of a group mentor. Not only did he provide Hogwarts students with various lessons, but he also fostered a developing community among diverse characters. Group mentoring gives you a chance to bounce off ideas from multiple mentees and get peer support from other women.

Peter Parker and Reverse Mentoring

Do you remember the movie in which Peter Parker and Tony Stark met? Their relationship was not only about Tony Stark, a renowned hero, sharing his wisdom with a less experienced mentee. They were also about Peter Parker enriching Tony’s life with fresh perspectives. This is how reverse mentoring works: a junior mentee shares insights into emerging trends, new technologies, and recent findings in the industry.

Galadriel and Situational Mentoring

During the most challenging moments of his journey, Frodo saw Galadriel in his dreams and visions. She was there for him to guide and support the hobbit when he needed her most. Being a Frodo in your life journey, you have an opportunity to seek highly relevant and context-specific guidance in your life situations.

Remy and Peer Mentoring

Peer mentoring is more of a partnership, with two people in similar positions mentoring each other. We could see the example of such a prolific relationship in “Ratatouille” with Remy, a rat, and Linguini, a garbage boy, learning from each other. This format has a bunch of benefits: you hold each other accountable for each other's results, and therefore you’ll be more consistent in pursuing your goals.

The Amazing Benefits of Women Supporting Women

The 64th US Secretary of the State, Madeleine Albright, once said, “There’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women” Yes, it sounds a bit controversial, but no one would deny that by supporting each other we create a better society with equal opportunities and freedom to reveal yourself. What do you get from a female mentor's assistance?

• Safe space for growth: Female mentorship is more likely to create a safe and nurturing environment where a woman feels free to ask questions or express her concerns.
  
• Reduction of isolation: We need to hear that we are not alone and our challenges are not unique, and we need women we openly share our experiences with.
  
• Role modeling: We don’t have to jump in at the deep end and do everything on our own - there are inspiring women around us who can lead us by their example.
  
• Encouragement to take risks: Supportive female mentors not only motivate you to step outside your comfort zone but also guide you, which reduces the period of trial and error.
• Relevant knowledge: A female expert is on the same wavelength with you, as women's challenges are not alien to her, so she provides you with specific and highly applicable advice.

Ready to Reach Out? Tips for Connecting with a Mentor

Here are four steps that make your mentorship highly effective.

1. Set clear goals. 

Maybe you’ve noticed a behavioral pattern you fail to break, or you dream of starting a new career, or you just want to get something off your chest. Identify it. If you write down your goals, you won’t waste time clarifying your intentions during the first mentoring sessions.

2. Find a mentor.

Anyone you trust can mentor you, whether it be someone in higher ranks or a colleague who inspires you. However, it may be problematic to establish regular interactions with an informal mentor. Try online platforms to reach out to an experienced female mentor. On Miranna app, you can look over mentors’ backgrounds, fields of expertise and education to find the best supporter for attaining your goals.

3. Try before you leap. 

Not ready for long-term mentoring? Try out situational mentoring. Feel uncomfortable having a call with your mentor? Enjoy Miranna’s built-in chat and get support through texting. You can even have more than one mentor on Miranna app, this option can help you find the one who is in sync with you.

4. Be persistent.

Be patient; don’t give up on your goals if the result isn’t seen as soon as you want it. In the words of Confucius, “It does not matter how slow you go as long as you do not stop.” Be open and discuss your reluctance to move on with your mentor to stay on track.

Why Female Mentoring Matters

Remember, the journey toward achieving your goals can be gradual and not always run smoothly, but with the right mentorship you can cultivate the skills you need to thrive. Download Miranna app to explore various female mentoring formats and start your journey today.

FAQ

What is the role of a female mentor?
A female mentor provides guidance, support, and advice tailored to the unique challenges women face. They help mentees navigate career hurdles, improve work-life balance, and build confidence.

What is the female version of a mentor?
The female version of a mentor is simply referred to as a "female mentor." There is no gender-specific term, as "mentor" is a neutral word.

What are the 5 C's of mentoring?
A: The 5 C's of mentoring are:

1. Competence – Sharing knowledge and skills.
2. Confidence – Helping mentees build self-assurance.
3. Connection – Establishing a trusting and supportive relationship.
4. Commitment – Demonstrating dedication to the mentoring process.
5. Character – Acting with integrity and modeling strong values.

How can I find a female mentor?
Start by identifying your goals and reaching out to professional networks or platforms like the Miranna app. These platforms allow you to connect with experienced female mentors in various fields and explore their expertise.

Why is female mentoring important?
Female mentoring creates safe spaces, reduces isolation, provides role models, and offers advice tailored to the unique experiences and challenges women face. It empowers women to overcome barriers and achieve personal and professional growth.