The benefits of being an OneUpOneDown mentor
One of the surprising realizations we’ve had since starting OneUpOneDown is that the experience of being a mentor is as valuable as being a mentee. Most people think that mentorship is primarily for the benefit of the mentee. However, this is not the case. It’s a rich learning and joyful…
Dzhuliana Nikolova · 15 March 2021 · 2 min read
One of the surprising realizations we’ve had since starting OneUpOneDown is that the experience of being a mentor is as valuable as being a mentee. Most people think that mentorship is primarily for the benefit of the mentee. However, this is not the case. It’s a rich learning and joyful experience for both mentor and mentee if the match is a good one.
We have received a lot of wonderful feedback from our mentors about what they have learned about themselves through the process. The meaningful experiences and connections they have developed as a result.
Near-peer mentorship means that the mentor is often just a couple of steps ahead of the mentee. The experience that the mentee is going through is still highly relevant and interesting for the mentor. It’s an opportunity for the mentor to reflect on their own recent growth, which helps to cement learnings and build confidence and self-worth. It also often means that the mentor and mentee have a lot in common in terms of life stage. We find that great matches often transpire into lasting friendships once the 3-month match is complete.
It’s an opportunity to practice and improve important leadership skills, including being an effective listener, questioner, and empowerer of action. Many of the mentors who have signed up are aware of this and welcome the opportunity to continue improving or maintaining this skill. For example, some of the women who have signed up have been managers but are no longer managing people and want to keep this practice up.
Helping others helps mentors get out of their heads and gain perspective by experiencing challenges through your mentees eyes. This is a refreshing and energizing exercise.
As the saying goes…
Helping others may just be the secret to living a life that is not only happier but also healthier, wealthier, more productive, and meaningful.
We buy it! Be part of our journey and become a mentor, mentee or both. It’s free.
Get growing through mentorship
You might also like
All posts →
Communication
How can I create more structure and accountability in my mentorship relationship?
This blog provides a tool for mentors and mentees to create more structure and check-ins within their relationship if this is something the mentor and mentee want to incorporate. OneUpOneDown mentor matches are three months long. Mentor and mentees meet at least four times during this…
25 March 2021
Communication
The Observer vs. the Reactor. Which is your default state?
We all have emotions, no matter who we are or how well we have trained ourselves to manage them. They come and go, all the time. What sets people apart is their ability to understand their emotions, see them for what they are and respond accordingly. The Observer and the Reactor are two…
24 December 2020
Communication
The Dance of the Mentor and Mentee
Our mission at OneUpOneDown is to help women develop themselves through mentorship. This development comes directly from the support and advice shared by a mentor and, as importantly, from the experience that showing up as a mentor or mentee has on both participants – not only the…
8 October 2020