Hi everyone,
I have been tasked at work with researching organisations that have successfully rolled out a reverse mentoring programme.
I thought this might be a really good place to start, to see if any of you have any experience with this and would be happy for me to pick your brains please?
Thank you in advance!
Leanne
Replies
Hi Leanne,
This is a great post and I hope we get some conversation going on this subject. Our very own Debora joined DPG as a 16 year old apprentice to support me in my role. Whilst it might not have been formal mentoring per say I have learned a lot from Debora in the way she thinks and approaches challenges and obstacles. Her thought process is quite different to mine and it's been a two way mentoring process where we learn from each other. I wonder is other apprenticeship schemes use or are open to this approach and see the value..
I came across this Forbes article a while ago so good to share this :)
http://www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2011/01/03/reverse-men...
I see, I didn't realise that you meant a formal arrangement. I assumed that it meant any situation where the 'old and bold' were able to learn from the new guys. In the case of the latter I have experienced plenty but never formally acknowledged or arranged. I think in such cases it takes almost unnatural levels of open-mindedness for an experienced worker to be really open to learning from the new guys. Obviously it works- the next question is how does anyone (L&D professional or otherwise) manage to engender the right mindset across an organisation, especially if it is in an industry where many are traditionalists or possibly prone to having reservations about younger people new to an industry?
So I answered your post with a question!
Thanks Mike, I have picked up a couple of case studies off the internet which is giving us something to start with for the initial proposal.
It is a fantastic idea and your experience proves how beneficial it can be to look at mentoring from a different perspective. I suspect we already have some of this happening informally in the organisation as we do have a very experienced workforce who I am sure are learning a thing or two from the apprentices joining the business!
We are hoping to get something going with our leadership team as part of our inclusion strategy, but I also think it could really support all of our strategic objectives and also work as a fantastic way of tackling some of the health and safety issues faced by the business too.
It would be great if there is someone on the community who has direct experience of rolling out, or being a part of a reverse mentoring programme so I can pick their brains on what worked / didn't work and lessons learned.
Let's get this out again in the Community update tomorrow and see if anyone can bring any experience to it. I'll also ask Martin Couzins if he knows of any examples or person who can share any insight.
Brilliant, thanks Mike, really appreciate your help! :)