“Behind every successful woman, there’s another woman who believed in her first.”
Oprah Winfrey credits her mentor, poet Maya Angelou, with shaping her confidence and success — proof that mentorship can be life-changing.
Just as every sapling needs support to grow, we all need mentors who guide us, challenge us, and help us see what’s possible. For women — especially in tech and leadership — mentorship is a necessary career tool.
The Power of Mentorship
“Women can accomplish amazing things when we support each other,” says Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta and author of Lean In. “The more women help one another, the more we help ourselves. Acting like a coalition truly does produce results.”
Yet progress remains slow. Only one in three executives in top management roles are women, and even fewer are women of color, according to the 2024 Women in the Workplace study by McKinsey and LeanIn.org.
Part of the reason? Men still tend to mentor other men — simply because they dominate senior positions. Without equal access to mentorship, women miss out on the connections and advocacy that open doors.
That’s why initiatives like Sandberg’s LeanIn Circles — now over 35,000 strong across 160 countries — are crucial. They’ve helped lift women’s representation in the C-suite from 17% in 2015 to 29% in 2024. But there’s still more work to do.
Why Women Make Great Leaders
Organizational psychologist Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, author of Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders?, notes that women consistently outperform men on traits like empathy, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence — the qualities that make truly effective leaders.
He adds, “Women outperform men in educational settings, while men score higher on dark side traits like narcissism and aggression — the same traits behind much of the toxic behavior seen among powerful men.”
It’s time to rewrite the leadership playbook — and mentorship is how we start.
How to Find a Mentor in Business
1. Ask Great Questions
Stand out by asking thoughtful, insightful questions at work. Curiosity signals potential — and attracts mentors.
2. Show Your Value
Solve problems, take initiative, and demonstrate your impact. Mentors are drawn to people who make things happen.
3. Join Women’s Networks
Connect through women’s professional groups or online communities. Shared spaces build trust and opportunities.
4. Explore Mentorship Programs
Consider joining the Women Love Tech Mentoring Programme — designed to help women in tech and media grow through expert guidance and community.
5. Look Beyond Titles
Mentors don’t have to be more senior or even the same gender. Peer mentors and male allies can also offer invaluable insight.
6. Be Coachable and Reliable
Approach mentorship with openness and accountability. The best relationships are built on trust and respect.
7. Pay It Forward
Once you’ve learned, share your knowledge. Lifting others behind you is how we all rise.
Final Thought About Mentors
Building a successful career is never a solo act. By finding mentors — and becoming one — women can lead the charge in transforming workplaces into more inclusive, collaborative spaces.
Because when women lift women, everyone wins.