How Women Can Form A Diverse Support System In The Workplace

Women and minorities are more likely to say that mentoring is an essential aspect of their careers. Mentorship is critical for both groups, as they are more likely to experience impostor syndrome in the office—a nagging feeling that they don't belong. However, just as diversity within an enterprise fuels innovation (and thus, drives growth), diverse mentors can provide women and minorities with unique viewpoints to the organization that help both groups advance professionally. 

It also encourages these groups to form relationships and network with others who may not inherently understand their challenges, which can ultimately change the mentor's perspective. An example of this would be a Black female professional who purposefully seeks out the mentorship of a White male executive in their organization.

Sara Connell is an author and the founder of Thought Leader Academy, a personalized online coaching program for women entrepreneurs. Sarah Pendrick is an author and the founder of GirlTalk Network- a brand focused on female empowerment. Below, both women discuss diversity of thought, how to form a diverse support system in the workplace, and how having diverse mentors is critical for women.

Christine Michel Carter: Is it no longer essential to seek out mentors who "look like you?"

Sara Connell: It's been proven in research that it's crucially important to seek out mentors who "look like us," but this isn't limited to physical appearance. Finding a mentor with a similar background who has achieved what you want to achieve- with a career that "looks like yours"- can prove that a woman can do it too. Finding a mentor who is seven steps ahead of you in your personal or professional goals can also help a woman make long-term career plans.  

Sarah Pendrick: The purpose of mentorship is to support you in your growth and provide guidance both personally and professionally and towards what you envision as success. I believe that the most successful, open-minded, and aligned people are ones who have the opportunity to see the world from different perspectives and experiences. One of the best ways to do this is by meeting, experiencing, and being guided by people from different backgrounds and walks of life. If you can master the gift of understanding and communicate with any person to where they feel heard, you can negotiate, partner, and find understanding in any situation.

Carter: Can women find mentors in industries outside of their own?

Connell: It's incredibly valuable to work with mentors who come from a background we've never experienced or accomplished great things in another industry or via a different path. Diversity expands our minds and opens us up to new possibilities. For greatest success, identify and implement the best practices in your industry and niche (through the guidance of a mentor similar to you) and bring in the best practices from other industries. This combination can make the difference between someone staying in the middle of the pack and breaking out as a leader and innovator. 

Pendrick: Mentorship in the workplace is critical, especially to women. 60% of men are in management positions and are most likely to mentor other men for their future position. While I believe that it is important for women to have a mentor that we see as ourselves so that we can know "we can do it too," it is also important for anyone who does not look or come from the same background as us to step into mentorship so that we can begin to reach common ground, share in experiences and become stronger in everything that we do because of this.

Read more