Starting or managing a business, finding clients, or even scheduling time for work and family can be very challenging for an entrepreneur or career woman. To top it off, figuring out things alone may be extremely tough. Wouldn’t it be helpful to get valuable advice or support from someone who has “been there”?
That is why established and emerging female entrepreneurs and leaders gathered together at the first ever Global Mentoring Walk in Manila, organized by Vital Voices and CEO Moms. The Global Mentoring Walk is a mentorship event for women, where mentors are paired with mentees in an afternoon of meaningful conversation. During which they share thoughts on personal, professional and business challenges and build a mentee-mentor relationship. The event took place on the same day in 62 countries with a total of 174 walks around the world in celebration of the International Women’s Day.
Inspiring women leaders from various industries supported the event and attended as mentors such as Janice Villanueva – CEO of Mommy Mundo, Jen Diaz – CEO of Snoe Beauty, Crystal Gonzales – Managing Director of Honestbee PH, Ann Jacobe – CEO of geeksmnl.com, Gina Romero CEO of Connected Women, Ann Cuisia, CEO of Traxion as well as the Teh Talk panelists Rocio Olbes Ressano, Cristina Cu, Stephanie Zubiri Crespi and Kimi Lu.
Here are 5 reasons why women should be open and pursue mentorship with some insights picked up from the event:
1. Become a compassionate leader.
Mentors develop listening skills, courage and self-knowledge. When you impart knowledge you are reminded of your own journey to learning, you realize what your personal gaps are, and gain more confidence in your own skills. Furthermore, mentorship allows a mentor to be compassionate, developing a sense of belief and trust in people which is an essential part of being a leader and mentor in guiding a team or a mentee. As shared by Teh Talks panelist Kimi Lu, “If you don’t believe in your mentee, don’t mentor them. Because all they really need is for you to believe in them”.
2. Accelerate growth.
Mentorship allows both mentors and mentees to have another world of connections, resources and insights that may give you a whole new outlook and help you out in your business, career and mindset. Stephanie further explains that a mentor may have a different path with a mentee but should be able to help out bring the mentee “get there” the best possible way. A good mentor may not also know everything and must open doors for mentees and “guide them to the right person who can” as shared by Rocio.
3. Show and learn the ropes.
Mentoring helps many women overcome their own self-limiting beliefs and mindsets, which can hinder them in aspiring to reach senior and leadership roles as well as business goals. A mentor also helps a mentee get “unstuck” and prevents her from making avoidable mistakes and guides her to pursue smart moves.
4. Create a supportive network.
Building a credible network and helping foster an environment of creativity, camaraderie and connectivity thru mentorship, are all essential for personal, business and professional growth. But for mentees, how do you even begin to have a mentor? All you have to do is ask. Cristina relates that it can be daunting to approach successful women but you’ll also be surprised how open these people can really be and just asking for it (mentorship) can make such a difference.
5. Experience a better business and economy.
Mentorship among women, is essential to women’s personal growth which also entails to greater results, from creating women leaders to experiencing a shift to better decision-making in companies and improvement in business and economic performance.
Women mentoring women may not be that established yet in the country but it’s a necessity that provides valuable benefits to everyone.
Start by being part of mentorship activities such as The Global Mentoring Walk Manila or ask someone you’d like to mentor or you want to be your mentor and experience its merits.
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