Oka Life’s Post

Is mentoring just about career advancement? Since becoming more involved in the power of social support across every walk of life I’ve witnessed the impact of mentoring more and more. From businesses and healthcare to academia and non-profits I'm continually astonished at the far reaching impact. I once saw it merely as a lever for career growth, yet experience has shown me it's a much more powerful agent of change, profoundly transforming lives, organizations, and entire communities. In essence mentoring embodies the best of what it means to be human: to guide, to support, to inspire, and most importantly to meaningfully connect. For the mentor, the invaluable reward comes from helping someone to discover and reach their full potential. For the mentee it provides learning that illuminates the path for life's journey and the hand to hold when things get tough. Mentoring: 1.     Unlocks Our Potential – acting like a key to uncover our hidden talents. A great mentor helps us to see beyond our doubts and encourages us to aim for dreams we may otherwise think are out of reach. 2. Catalyzes Growth – mentoring helps us to step out of our comfort zone. Good mentors nudge us to try new things, question old beliefs and inspire us to see ourselves and the world in new ways. 3. Expands Our Perspectives – by sharing their stories and ideas, mentors help us to see things from a different angle, encourage us to be more flexible in how we think and to be more creative in solving problems. 4. Provides Emotional Support: by giving us the hope, optimism and resilience to continue even when things are tough. Sometimes, just knowing someone believes in us can be the fuel that keeps us going through tough times. 5. Connects Us with Others: Mentors can introduce us to people who help us in our careers and in our lives, opening doors to new opportunities that can have a lasting impact. Mentoring does a lot more than just help with our careers. It's about helping us grow as people. It's all about guiding, supporting, inspiring, and bringing people together - and that's something truly special. At Oka we’re committed to providing mentoring that delivers on all of these aspects, helping to deliver gender equality, improved performance and enhanced wellbeing within the workplace. For more go to Oka.Life 

Our latest study offers a realistic appraisal of the promise and pitfalls of formal mentoring programs.  We’d like to think that protégés receive respect and basic career support from their assigned mentors, but our research shows that this depends on the mentor’s perceptions of their potential to advance in the organization.  Why does this matter?  Most employees are average performers, but they also need career support and are less likely to be selected by informal mentors. They may turn to formal programs for support and guidance. However, our research suggests that these programs may fall short of delivering on that promise, potentially creating a “rich get richer” scenario. We found a silver lining: unlike managers, mentors saw their male and female proteges as having comparable advancement potential and women seen as having potential received respect and career support similar to their male counterparts.  However, the gender composition of the relationship mattered.  Women paired with male mentors received less respect and were less likely to be seen as having potential -- a pattern not found in informal relationships. What can organizations do? They can: • Provide training to help mentors understand their “relational blind spots.” •  Address subtle reinforcers that equate effective mentoring with protégés’ advancement (protégés’ advancement should not constitute “bragging rights” for the mentor). • Select mentors who are genuinely motivated to support their protégés’ careers. Female protégés may be perceived as having comparable advancement potential as their male counterparts, but limited access to female mentors at higher ranks could create inequities. Organizations need to ensure that formal programs provide women with female mentors and offer support, recognition, and resources to women who take on the mantle of mentoring. https://lnkd.in/gAbTuT3e

Women at Work: The Importance of Mentorship In today’s workplace, having a mentor can make a big difference, especially for women. However, only 39% of women professionals in India say they have a mentor, according to LinkedIn’s Workforce Confidence Index (WCI). This means that 61% of women feel the need for guidance but don’t have anyone to turn to. Mentorship is more than just career advice. It’s about support, growth, and helping women reach their full potential. So, how can companies ensure that more women have access to mentors? And why is mentorship so important? >>Why Mentorship Matters for Women: Mentorship helps women in many ways. A mentor can offer guidance on navigating challenges like balancing work and personal life, dealing with gender biases, and finding opportunities for advancement. With a mentor’s support, women are more likely to feel confident, take on leadership roles, and push for promotions or better job opportunities. Women often face unique challenges in the workplace, and having someone to guide them through these can be invaluable. A mentor can provide not only advice but also encouragement, helping women to believe in their abilities and pursue their career goals with confidence. >>How Companies Can Promote Mentorship: To help more women access mentorship, companies can take several steps: 1. Create Mentorship Programs:   - Companies can set up formal programs where experienced employees mentor women who are looking to grow in their careers. This ensures that every woman who wants a mentor can have one. 2. Encourage Women to Seek Mentors:   - Companies can educate their employees about the benefits of mentorship and encourage women to seek out mentors who can help them with their specific career goals. 3. Promote a Culture of Mentorship:   - Companies can foster a supportive environment where mentorship is part of the company culture. This could involve regular workshops, networking events, and recognition of successful mentor-mentee pairs. Mentorship is a powerful tool that can help women professionals advance in their careers and overcome the unique challenges they face. By creating opportunities for mentorship, companies can help their female employees thrive and bring out their best. If you’re a leader in your organization, consider how you can promote mentorship for women. And if you’re a woman looking for guidance, don’t hesitate to seek out a mentor. Together, we can bridge the mentorship gap and empower more women to succeed. #MentorshipMatters #WomenInLeadership #CareerGrowth #WorkplaceEquality #ProfessionalDevelopment #CorporateCulture #SupportWomen #Empowerment #Leadership #CareerSuccess

Don't miss out on this insightful blog from Commercial Integrator discussing the profound impact of female mentorship in the professional world. Whether you're seeking guidance or eager to uplift others, this read is a must! Click the link below to unlock a world of inspiration and empowerment. https://lnkd.in/dvdTvzu2 #WomenEmpowerment #Mentorship #ReadNow

New research report: The second Wise Group 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 Research Report highlights the transformative impact of the programme on participants' personal and professional development. Through a comprehensive analysis of 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲𝐬 conducted between September 2023 and November 2024, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞’𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥-𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. Key Findings: 1. 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬: - Participants rated their satisfaction with the service at an average of 4.6/5, with 93% expressing a willingness to recommend it to others. - The empathetic and tailored approach of mentors was widely praised. 2. 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: - Participants demonstrated significant 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲. - Outcomes included 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠, with others gaining qualifications or participating in skill-building initiatives 3. 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥-𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: - Many participants reported 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡, 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐦, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. - The programme was credited with fostering resilience and optimism, 𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬. 4. 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: - Participants noted i𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬, as well as gains in basic and job-specific skills. - Opportunities for 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡, such as completing certifications and engaging in new learning activities, were frequently highlighted. 5. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬: - The service was instrumental in helping participants 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 and achieve greater stability in their lives. Overall, the Wise Group Relational Mentoring Service has been described as 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞-𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 that successfully 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐬 to 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐬 and 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 in their personal and professional lives. #NorthofTyneCombinedAuthority #RelationalMentoring #SocialInclusion #EconomicInactivity

💦𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽💦 You know we've strongly emphasized mentorship if you've followed Liquid Barrier/Voices Of Africa since its creation in early 2023. In a poll we conducted several months ago, 48% of respondents, mostly women of color, identified mentorship relationships as important. While the relationship between a mentor and mentee is deeply rooted in the exchange of professional insights, career lessons, and shared experiences, a willingness to create an environment that is supportive, open, and nurturing is paramount to the growth and success of both individuals. When the mentor/mentee relationship is built on mutual trust and respect, the mentoring relationship between senior and junior professionals flourishes and can ultimately revolutionize and accelerate a young woman's career path. As noted in prior interviews conducted on the mentoring experiences of Kori Whisenant, a senior attorney who is an African American woman, and Denise Isimbi, a young newly minted attorney located in Rwanda, it was easy to conclude that extraordinary value exists when both the mentor and mentee are professionally matched within the same business domain. ➡️https://lnkd.in/guurq6F2 ➡️https://lnkd.in/gvwNKuYx ➡️https://lnkd.in/gJCZ_8F4 Mentorships rooted in shared cultural experiences have profound benefits; however, their effectiveness lies in mutual understanding, genuine care, and reciprocity. Mentorships between professionals on different continents are rare. However, Denise and Kori’s mentorship experience is a testament to the power of cross-continental mentorship, proving that women of diverse cultural backgrounds can co-create a narrative of success and empowerment. While the Voices Of Africa poll highlights mentorship's importance, the interviews with Denise and Kori show how such relationships are impactful and transformative. As more women of color assume executive positions, mentorship relationships will become a necessary asset for mentors and mentees. By forging their collective strength, knowledge, and skills, the landscape of professional isolation lessens, and what emerges is a community of strong women willing to share their expertise. At this point in our journey in supporting young African women, we’ll be shifting from a primary focus on mentorship to concentrating more on continuing education and healthcare. However, we’ll continue to support mentorship as a cornerstone for their success. On est ensemble / We are all African!!! 🎉 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗢𝗳 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗮𝘁: https://lnkd.in/g8ie-EaX 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗟𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁: https://lnkd.in/gC64sDQR 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹: 'Voice' Florence Hosea https://lnkd.in/enX33x7n

🌟 Mentor, Ally, or Sponsor? The difference matters.✨️ After watching the new Wicked 🧙♀️🪄 film this week, one question kept running through my mind: 💬 Do you need a mentor, an ally, or a sponsor?✨️✨️✨️ In Wicked, Glinda starts as Elphaba’s mentor, guiding her through a world that wasn’t built for her. But as Elphaba faces growing challenges, it becomes clear that mentorship isn’t enough. What Elphaba truly needs is: An Ally—someone who will stand beside her, speak up for her, and challenge the system labeling her as “wicked.”🧙♀️🧙♀️🧙♀️ A Sponsor—someone willing to put their reputation on the line to advocate for her success.🪄🪄🪄 🔥 Here’s the difference: A Mentor helps you build skills and navigate the system. 📚 An Ally amplifies your voice and challenges barriers. 🎙️ A Sponsor creates opportunities and opens doors for you. 🚪 💡 Why does this matter in the workplace? Far too often, organizations stop at mentorship programs, expecting marginalized employees to “fit in” rather than creating environments where they can thrive. But mentorship alone can’t overcome systemic bias. 🚨 Here’s the truth: Mentors are helpful for career growth, but they don’t always have the power to change the system. Allies can shift the culture by challenging biases and creating inclusion. Sponsors are game-changers—they leverage their privilege to give marginalized voices access to the opportunities they deserve. ✨ Wicked reminds us of a powerful lesson: mentorship is helpful, allyship is transformational, and sponsorship is essential for achieving success. Everyone deserves to fly. 🪽🪽🪽💚 📢 Ask yourself: Are you mentoring, allying, or sponsoring someone right now? 🤝 How can we build workplaces where all three roles are the standard, not the exception?

Starting with coaching is key. Honesty and understanding the value it brings to you and your team are essential. #Coaching #TeamDevelopment #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion

Title: Empowering Women to Overcome Gender Bias in Mentorship. In today’s professional landscape, mentorship is crucial for career growth and personal development. Many women seek mentorship from male colleagues, hoping to gain insights and guidance that will help them navigate their careers. However, instead of receiving the professional support they need, some women encounter an unexpected and discouraging challenge: male mentors who focus on their beauty rather than their potential. This article aims to encourage and empower women facing such obstacles and offers practical strategies to navigate these situations effectively. 1. Recognize Your Worth First and foremost, it is essential to recognize and affirm your professional worth. Your skills, talents, and potential are what make you a valuable asset to any organization. When entering a mentorship relationship, always keep in mind that you are seeking professional growth and development, not personal compliments. 2. Set Clear Boundaries From the outset, establish clear boundaries with your mentor. Communicate your professional goals and expectations for the mentorship. If a mentor begins to focus on your appearance rather than your capabilities, politely but firmly steer the conversation back to your career aspirations and objectives. 3.Seek Multiple Mentors Diversify your mentorship network by seeking guidance from multiple mentors, both male and female. This approach not only broadens your perspectives but also reduces dependency on a single mentor who might not meet your professional needs. Women mentors, in particular, may offer relatable experiences and valuable advice on overcoming gender-specific challenges. 4.Advocate for Yourself Don’t hesitate to advocate for yourself in professional settings. If a mentor’s behavior makes you uncomfortable, address the issue directly. Express your concerns and request a focus on professional matters. If the situation does not improve, consider seeking support from HR or other organizational resources. 5.Support and Empower Each Other Women supporting women is a powerful force in the workplace. Join or create networks of women who can offer mutual support, share experiences, and provide mentorship. These networks can be invaluable in navigating professional challenges and fostering a sense of community and solidarity. 6.Educate and Raise Awareness Sometimes, male mentors may not realize the impact of their behavior. When appropriate, take the opportunity to educate and raise awareness about the importance of focusing on professional attributes rather than personal appearance. Constructive conversations can lead to positive changes in behavior and attitudes. 7.Know When to Move On If a mentorship relationship is not serving your professional needs, it is okay to move on. Seek out mentors who respect and value your professional aspirations. Your time and energy are precious; invest them in relationships that contribute positively.

Your mentorship matters! No matter how unique, weird, unsuccessful, or bent out of shape you think your path has been. This weekend was Homecoming for Southern Virginia University. One of the events I attended was a networking meet and greet for alumni and current seniors (great job organizing and hosting, Joanna Porter and Jessica Whipple!). In chatting with alums about getting involved in mentoring students, I heard multiple times that they weren't sure what they could offer. There seemed to be uncertainty about worthiness to be a mentor, for many reasons: They didn't use their degree quite how they'd originally intended or in a way that might be seen as a "typical" career path. They're a stay-at-home parent right now. They aren't successful or special enough. Any success they HAVE stumbled into is just that - a happy accident, not a replicable process they could recommend others follow. They feel the institution has changed and grown enough that their experiences wouldn't feel relevant to current students anymore. Or on the flip side, they didn't graduate long enough ago to be ready to mentor anyone. Or on the flip FLIP side, they haven't ever actually finished and earned the formal degree. Lots of perceived reasons for disqualification from mentoring young people. But as I heard their stories, over and over again it was clear to me that our students absolutely WOULD benefit - and greatly - from every one of them. If you're hesitating to step into that mentoring role, don't forget these things: - You don't have to be perfect to mentor; you just have to have gone through a step or two (or twenty) beyond someone who might experience something similar to you - That similarity can be in any area of their life (handling family and professional life effectively, job searching, career exploration, career transitions, success in school, etc.) - not just if they're trying to follow your exact career path - Almost nobody has a truly "typical" career - the way you've managed your off-the-beaten-path trajectory and experiences can absolutely be relevant - Hearing the way you've made decisions and considered your options throughout adulthood could change a student's entire perspective on life and handling uncertainty - Hearing how you've struggled, either during or after your college experience, could help someone realize they're not alone or broken (at least, not any more than the rest of us) - Your story could help them see that uncertainty today doesn't mean failure tomorrow Your experiences, opinions, and knowledge are worth something - maybe everything. Don't keep yourself from sharing due to feelings of inadequacy. There are plenty of other reasons to consider not doing it, ha! You have a wildly busy life. But don't hide your light without a good reason. And if you're an SVU alum or friend and want to get involved with current students, absolutely let me know 😀 #careermanagement #mentorship #networking #alumni #goknights