Research highlights confidence issues among women in becoming mentors.
- National Mentoring Day underscores the significance of mentoring across sectors.
- 40% of women are hesitant to become mentors due to confidence challenges.
- 22% of women doubt their mentoring capabilities, compared to 13% of men.
- Imposter syndrome affects 66% of women, impacting their mentoring willingness.
Recent research has illuminated a confidence gap among women aspiring to be mentors, with nearly a quarter lacking the self-assurance needed to undertake such roles. This comes ahead of National Mentoring Day, celebrated annually on 27th October, which aims to promote the practice and benefits of mentoring across various domains.
The study conducted by a global mentoring platform reveals a significant disparity, as 40% of women express reluctance to become mentors, largely due to confidence-related issues. Almost a third of women surveyed admit to feeling insufficiently confident to assume mentoring responsibilities. Such insights spotlight the barriers women face in entering mentorship roles.
Further analysis shows that 22% of women believe they lack the necessary skills for mentoring, in contrast to 13% of their male counterparts who feel similarly. Women also reported higher uncertainty about the advice they could offer, with one in five expressing doubts compared to 12% of men.
A notable 66% of women attribute their hesitation to imposter syndrome, defined by The National Institutes of Health as self-doubt about intellect, skills, or accomplishments. This psychological pattern poses a substantial hurdle, deterring many from embracing mentoring roles.
Ed Johnson, CEO of the mentoring platform, advocates for making mentoring accessible to everyone, emphasising that all individuals possess valuable skills to contribute. Johnson, who overcame personal challenges due to the absence of mentoring, stresses the transformative potential of mentorship, urging openness to both becoming and finding mentors.
Moreover, Johnson highlights emerging trends in mentoring, such as multi-generational reverse mentoring, which has demonstrated significant benefits, expanding the scope and appeal of mentoring practices.
In his words, “If you are interested in becoming a mentor or mentee but have felt something holding you back, I can’t advocate enough for just giving it a go. It could be a decision that revolutionises your life in and out of work, as well as someone else’s.”
The research calls attention to the pressing need for strategies to boost confidence and eradicate barriers impeding women from embracing mentorship roles.
