“Reciprocal mentoring is a powerful and mutually beneficial exchange in which both mentees and mentors learn from each other and improve their professional performance.” Reciprocal Mentoring Lab

As an advisor for graduate students, including international students, I have enjoyed being a mentor and also a mentee in the relationships with my students. These relationships are among my most precious professionally and personally as the mentees have challenged my ideas, my values, my experiences. I believe that I have also challenged and advocated for their development and goal achievement.

Leilani Latimer suggests that “mentoring can be as much of a growth experience for the mentor as it is for the mentee.” She shares three areas for developing this reciprocal relationship: 1. Mentor and be mentored by people who work in different roles, positions, businesses, and careers; 2. The mentor/mentee relationship should be intriguing (not perfunctory); and 3. Be advocates for each other.

The previous concept of the “Sage” being the mentor and it being a top down relationship is turned upside down with reciprocal mentoring. Millennials, women and persons of color have searched for a different type of relationship as they are developing professionally and personally through wanting an integrated life. In an age of “knowledge generation”, careers have changed - individuals are working in positions and companies for shorter periods of time, therefore needing differing types of mentor relationships.

As I think about the mentor/mentee relationships in my own life, I realize these relationships have usually developed into friendships. We are interested in each other’s lives, our stories, and want to be invested in the goals of each other. I am thrilled when my mentees present their research, publish articles and books, achieve recognition for their work, as well as learn about their pets, marriages, birth of babies, etc.

Hope this model is helpful for you to think through what mentoring needs you may be interested in pursuing and those where you may be a mentor. Ask yourself these questions: What type of mentor/mentee relationships do you have? Have you been recommended for a senior leadership role by your mentee? What type of advocate are you as a mentor?