Let’s normalise bottom-up mentorship
In one of my recent posts, I spoke about how powerful bottom-up mentorship can be and how it can be very beneficial to one’s life. Most often, when we hear the word “mentorship,” our minds tend to think of an older person who has more experience in a particular field due to years of trial and error. This kind of mentorship is indeed one of the most widespread forms, and I have personally benefited from it.
Some people may also mention peer-to-peer mentorship — when someone in your age group who has relatively advanced in a specific area provides guidance. However, we seldom discuss the power of bottom-up mentorship, of which I have been a great beneficiary.
What is bottom-up mentorship?
It’s often referred to as Reverse mentorship but I like to call it, bottom up mentorship as I feel it speaks for itself much better. TeamBonding describes it beautifully. It’s where you place a junior-level employee in the mentoring role and the senior-level employee in the mentee’s shoes. Simply put, it’s when you take advice from a younger person.
Now, I know youthfulness is mostly associated with immaturity or lack of mastery, which to some extent may be true. We’ve all been there before. However, there are some key benefits to empowering young people and even moving forward with the ideas they give you.
What are the benefits of bottom-up mentorship?
- Power of imagination: Most often, when we’ve seen so much, there is a lack of inspiration to want to see more. However, for the young mind, everything is a beautiful discovery. This kind of mindset can foster great innovation and a burst of new ideas. By allowing the young person to explore the limitless power of their minds, we embrace new discoveries.
- Difference in perspectives: It’s often said that when everyone around you has the same response to something that must be objectively judged, then it’s most likely time to re-organize the group. The young mind sees things differently. One might say it is a myopic view, but I beg to differ. This is simply a perspective based on the information they have been exposed to. And sometimes, whether it’s too much information or too little, it gives us a glimpse.
3. Zeal and courage: A young person believes in impossibilities, something most people who jump off the youthful bridge lose excitement about.
4. Staying up to date: The young are curious and thus up to date with a lot of things. The power of social media places them at the forefront of many trends.
How do you get started?
Finding one isn’t as hard as you think. I have a lot of friends younger than me who have been very helpful with a variety of things I have started. For example starting my podcast. My friend who has been in the podcast space, Nana Yaw Ofori Atta, was extremely helpful. Here are some tips on how to search for your next mentor:
- Simply reach out to them. Build quality relationships with the aim of exchanging ideas. Don’t just go in to be an opportunist, but see how you can also help or maybe even mentor as well.
- Be nice and respectful: Respectfully engage with younger mentors as age doesn’t equate to wisdom. Mutual knowledge exchange, not one-sided, builds positive mentorship with kindness, fostering a constructive learning atmosphere.
- Look for specific qualities: Seek mentors known for innovation, embracing unique problem-solving, and fearlessly exploring new ideas. Their qualities will help you nurture creativity and excel in your pursuits.
- Schedule frequent catch-up sessions. Mentorship outside interaction is not effective. Schedule the session in your calendar and give it all the importance it requires.
- Set goals and objectives with them: Collaboratively set clear goals and objectives with your mentors. Define milestones, skills, or knowledge you aim to acquire. Regularly review progress and adjust as needed. This structured approach enhances your mentorship experience, fostering growth and focused development.
- Open them to your network: Share your mentors with your network. Introduce them to your professional circle. This reciprocity can lead to new opportunities for both you and your mentors. It strengthens relationships, broadens horizons, and enriches the mentorship experience for everyone involved.
In summary, bottom-up mentorship, often overlooked, is powerful. Engaging with younger mentors offers fresh perspectives, fuels innovation, and fosters enthusiasm. Staying current and sharing networks with them is key. Set goals, respect, and integrate them for mutual growth. Embracing this approach taps into their potential, enriching learning journeys.
