Imposter syndrome is a significant barrier preventing many women from pursuing mentorship roles, despite a strong desire to do so.
- Nearly a quarter of women lack the confidence to mentor, as highlighted before National Mentoring Day.
- Research shows 40% of women dismiss the idea of becoming mentors due to self-doubt.
- Factors such as uncertainty about the guidance they can offer contribute to this hesitation.
- Mentorship is evolving, with multi-generational dynamics offering new opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Ahead of National Mentoring Day, which takes place annually on the 27th of October to focus on the benefits of mentoring, findings have emerged shedding light on the confidence gaps among potential women mentors. A survey conducted by the global mentoring platform PushFar indicates that 24% of women do not feel confident enough to take on the role of a mentor. This comes despite 66% of women showing interest in mentoring, highlighting the pervasive effects of imposter syndrome.
The study reveals that 40% of women would not consider mentoring, and nearly one-third express a lack of confidence in their ability to guide others. This hesitance sharply contrasts with the mindset of men, with only 13% expressing similar concerns. Moreover, the apprehension extends to the uncertainty about the type of advice women believe they can offer, with 20% of women unsure compared to 12% of their male counterparts.
The National Institutes of Health describes imposter syndrome as a self-doubt about intellect, skills, or accomplishments, which is a sentiment echoed strongly in the survey results. Ed Johnson, the co-founder and CEO of PushFar, advocates for making mentorship widely accessible and emphasizes that everyone possesses valuable skills beneficial for mentorship roles. Johnson shares his personal story of having dropped out of school and entering the workforce at 17, where he found the lack of mentorship opportunities evident and challenging, inspiring him to create a platform to bridge this gap.
The evolving landscape of mentorship, according to Johnson, now includes multi-generational reverse mentoring, whereby individuals of different ages share valuable experiences and insights. He encourages individuals, regardless of their inhibitions, to step into mentoring roles, as it could significantly impact both their personal and professional lives.
Addressing imposter syndrome and expanding mentorship accessibility are key to utilising the full potential of aspiring female mentors.
