The concept of reverse mentoring is often attributed to Jack Welch, the former CEO of General Electric. In the late 1990s, Welch implemented a reverse mentoring program at GE to help senior executives learn about new technologies and the perspectives of younger employees. The program was seen as a success and inspired other companies to adopt similar programs.

There are several potential benefits of reverse mentoring:

• Transfer of knowledge: Younger employees can share their expertise in areas such as technology and digital media with more experienced colleagues.
• Improved communication: The mentoring relationship can foster open and honest communication across generations, breaking down barriers and fostering a more inclusive work culture.
• Expanded perspective: Senior executives can gain a fresh perspective on the company and its operations from a younger employee’s point of view, helping to promote innovation and change.
• Career development: Younger employees can benefit from the guidance and mentorship of more experienced colleagues, helping them to develop their careers.
• Increased productivity: Reverse mentoring can improve cross-functional collaboration and increase overall productivity by leveraging the strengths of employees across all levels of the organization.
• Improving diversity and inclusion initiatives: Reverse mentoring can be a tool to create an inclusive culture. It can facilitate learning, understanding and mutual respect between different generations and also different cultures, promoting diversity in the workplace.
• Improved understanding of generational differences: Reverse mentoring can help to bridge the gap between different generations, allowing for better understanding and communication between employees of different ages.
• Increased job satisfaction: Reverse mentoring can provide a sense of fulfillment for both the mentor and mentee, as both parties can learn from one another and grow as individuals.
• Building networks: Reverse mentoring can also help employees to build a strong professional network, connecting them with individuals across different departments and levels of the organization.
• Developing leadership skills: Reverse mentoring can be an opportunity for both the mentor and mentee to improve their leadership skills, as they learn to communicate effectively, manage their time, provide feedback, and resolve conflict.
• Improving organizational culture: Reverse mentoring can also foster a positive organizational culture by promoting collaboration, mutual respect and understanding, and a shared sense of purpose across the organization.
• Enhancing brand image: Reverse mentoring can be great internal and external recruitment tool. It can enhance the company’s brand image as a progressive organization that values the contributions of all its employees, regardless of their age or experience level.

I recently got involved in reverse mentoring – but I do not think I could be sharing more on this 🙂