Disadvantages Of Reverse Mentoring

When Jack Welch was running GE he brought in a number of new initiatives and ways of working. One of those things was reverse mentoring. It’s an approach that turns traditional mentoring on its head as younger people mentor their older colleagues. Mentoring is really about taking those with experience to share it with those who need it. 

Today we live in a world that is changing ever faster, and where technology is adapting both the ways of working and the behaviour and approach of consumers. In traditional mentoring the experience is usually about leadership, entrepreneurship and business acumen. Business leaders have taken time to build their careers and at the same time the changes have been mostly affecting those younger than themselves,

These create the opportunity for exposure to new ideas, different ways of working, alternative experience and contextualising challenges. Reverse mentoring ensures that small businesses can get exposure to the experience of a new generation using different techniques and tools to support their activity and

Often time is at premium and there may only be a few staff whose skills can be drawn on. However, most businesses operate in a loose network of suppliers and associates whose products services and skills play a part in delivering value to customers, When we talk to most small businesses they know others who employ young, and capable, people. Our colleagues may have older children starting out in the world of work too. Finding a mentor pairing outside the company structure also brings insights that those in the business miss.

Traditional mentor-protege relationships typically have a clear, structured objective with regular monthly meetings. While it is still important to meet consistently, this relationship can be more casual. Kevin Baughen, the director of a charity marketing and communications consultancy, tells the Guardian that reverse mentorships work best with less structure. I agree, indeed it’s often the more relaxed conversations that yield best value for the business owner. What matters is that there is mutual respect and a willingness to work as