Whether you love or hate footie, it’s hard to deny how empowering it’s been to watch The Matilda’s rise through the ranks to take on the global stage at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Getting there has taken everything you might expect from Australia’s women’s soccer team, including resilience, motivation, perseverance, commitment, and another key thing: mentorship.
The Matilda’s have slowly risen to greater success since 2020, when their new coach, Tony Gustavsson, joined them. That same year, he helped them achieve fourth place at the Tokyo Olympics—the best-ever finish by an Australian team.
Putting the sports references aside for a moment, we bet you can pick almost any successful individual, team, or group you admire and pinpoint a strong mentor or two in their history who’s helped them achieve their goals and more.
Despite this, we often see mentoring as a luxury—not a necessity—especially in our careers.
We explain why it’s so hard to find a mentor and offer five key tips for success from incredible women who’ve overcome the hurdles and reaped the benefits of mentorship.
Why do women struggle to find mentors?
Though we often know the value of mentorship, many women hesitate to actively seek out mentors. According to a DDI study, 63% of women have never had a formal mentor.
This reluctance can stem from various factors, including systemic barriers and individual perceptions around mentoring.
Have a read through the following and see if any of these sound familiar:
1. Lack of Visibility: In many industries, women need help finding visible women role models or mentors who resonate with their experiences. The need for more women leaders in specific fields makes it challenging for women to envision themselves in leadership roles or identify suitable mentors who understand their unique career challenges.
2. Imposter Syndrome: Imposter syndrome, characterized by feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy despite evident success, disproportionately affects women. Women may downplay their achievements and hesitate to seek mentors, fearing they’re not qualified enough or deserve guidance from more experienced professionals.
3. Time Constraints: Balancing professional responsibilities with personal commitments, women often juggle multiple roles and face time constraints that deter them from actively seeking mentorship. Research has shown not all mentoring for women is created equal, and mothers struggle to find suitable support.
4. Fear of Rejection or Judgement: Women may fear rejection or judgment when reaching out to potential mentors, particularly if they perceive themselves as imposing on someone’s time. The fear of appearing incompetent or inexperienced may prevent women from initiating conversations or seeking guidance on career-related matters.
5. Cultural and Organisational Barriers: Cultural norms and organizational dynamics can pose additional barriers to women seeking mentors. In male-dominated industries or workplaces with ingrained biases, women encounter implicit or explicit obstacles that limit their access to mentorship opportunities.
5 tips to help you find mentor success
These barriers highlight that access to mentoring is more complicated than a simple ‘should I or shouldn’t I’ question. That’s why working for an employer that provides and promotes accessible mentoring opportunities can make such a difference.
Below, we hear from five women who’ve reaped the benefits of mentorship as they share their top tips for putting success back in your hands:
1. Don’t be afraid to reach out; you never know where it could lead.
These barriers highlight that access to mentoring is more complicated than a simple ‘should I or shouldn’t I’ question. That’s why working for an employer that provides and promotes accessible mentoring opportunities can make such a difference.
Below, we hear from five women who’ve reaped the benefits of mentorship as they share their top tips for putting success back in your hands:
“It might feel daunting to reach out initially, but I’ve discovered most people are super open and appreciative of a simple invitation for a coffee chat. It all begins with a friendly hello! My unofficial mentors have been incredible, and learning from them has made tackling challenges and finding joy in my work way easier.”
– Mildred Sin, Graduate Bids & Project Manager at Thales
2. Spend time finding the right mentor.
“From the outset, I was so glad to have been paired with my mentor. We instantly connected, which meant I felt comfortable sharing my goals with her early on. If you feel uncomfortable or nervous around a mentor, perhaps they aren’t the right one for you – find someone with whom you feel right at home!”
– Eliza Brooks, Area Sales Manager with Ampol
3. Stay open to the process, wherever it might take you!
“Navigating your career when unsure of where you’re going can be daunting. Having a trusted advisor in the form of a mentor can give you much-needed reassurance. My advice would be to proactively seek opportunities to learn from your mentor. Be open, honest, and never shy away from taking constructive criticism.”
– Sumam Khanna, Customer Experience & Customer Success Specialist with Cisco
4. Explore formal and informal opportunities – they all have something to offer.
“My advice is to always have an open mindset when receiving mentorship. Mentorship doesn’t necessarily need to happen formally; being open to learning from someone at all times gives you the opportunity to have better relationships with people of varying experiences.”
– Aparna Balanarayanan, Process Engineer at Nufarm
5. Just go for it! What have you got to lose?
“Do it! I learned how to juggle life and not feel so alone on my quest to trail braze in the industry for other women who effectively wanted it all. Sometimes, we become too obsessed with our own thoughts—it’s good to seek advice and support and to know you’re not alone.”
– Angela Saville, Customer Success Team Manager with Softcat
