Leadership Lessons: The importance of mentorship for career growth

In the fast-paced world of data analytics, the significance of mentorship and networking cannot be overstated, especially for African women. The data analytics field is rapidly growing, and with it, the demand for diverse perspectives and innovative solutions.

However, the journey for African women in this industry is often fraught with unique challenges that can be mitigated through robust mentorship and effective networking. As an African woman in data analytics, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of these two critical elements.

Furthermore, it must be argued that career advancement is not only dependent on technical expertise – which is a mistake that a lot of employees make – but also on the robustness of one's professional network and guidance from mentors. This is of particular importance to African women in data analytics.

While much has been done to promote diversity and inclusion within the tech industry, African women often face unique circumstances that may hinder their career progression. Effective mentorship coupled with vibrant networking can be instrumental in curbing these barriers and encouraging career success.

I know that mentorship seems to be a buzzword everywhere you look, and I've already used it three times in the above two paragraphs, but it is one that will not die down any time soon, and truthfully it should not.

I have realized over my many years in corporate that the need for a mentor, especially in the data analytics industry, is something that is misunderstood by a lot of people, especially females and African women in general.

When we sit in boardrooms and look out across the boardroom table at our counterparts and wonder why they seem to navigate the job, corporate environment and never-ceasing politics so well, do we ever stop and think that the person sitting across us has a mentor.

It is this person that they have in their right pocket that is aiding them as if they are one of the lifelines in Who Wants To Be a Millionaire every step of their career journey.

What is mentorship?

Let us take it back to the basics as I am aware that some people seem not to even know what a mentor is and the role they could potentially play in one's life.

Several years ago, I came across the perfect description of what a mentor is, but also realize that it cannot be explained in isolation without its often-confused counterparts – namely being the coach and the sponsor.

Therefore, the easiest and simplest way to describe the three is to put it this way: A coach talks with you, a mentor talks to you and a sponsor talks about you.

All these people act to help people progress with their career, however they do it in a slightly different way. Hence, as a mentee, understanding this distinction is crucial to seek the right guidance from someone and, as a mentor, it's essential to know which kind of support you want to provide to others.

Those mentees that can have a mentor and a sponsor in one person, I would say they have hit the jackpot because at times the roles may overlap even with a coach.

Nollie Maoto believes that effective mentorship coupled with vibrant networking can be instrumental in encouraging career success, especially for women. (Source: Image by freepik)

It would be remiss of me not to elaborate on the definitions I have mentioned above so let's put some meat on the bones, as people would say.

Coaching

Coaching is a structured, goal-oriented process where a coach helps an individual develop specific skills normally soft skills or improve performance in a particular area.

A coach is usually someone who asks powerful questions to people so that they can come up with the answers themselves.

In fact, true coaching is questioning someone based on the belief they have all the answers they need inside themselves, and the only things blocking them are their limiting beliefs.

Mentoring

Mentoring is a long-term, ongoing relationship between a mentor and mentee, focused on the mentee's overall personal and professional development. Mentors provide guidance, support and encouragement based on their own experiences and expertise.

A mentor is usually a professional who has more experience than their mentees and is a few steps ahead in their career.

A good mentor offers guidance, stories and advice based on their lived experience to help mentees navigate their own journey while increasing their chances of success.

Usually, to be as relevant as possible and facilitate the transfer of knowledge, mentors come from a similar industry, geography or career background.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship is a relationship where a senior leader or influential individual within an organization actively advocates for an individual's career advancement.

Sponsors use their influence and decision-making power to help the individual gain visibility and access to opportunities.

A sponsor has to be a senior/executive/C-suite stakeholder with solid connections, a great network and social equity.

A sponsor is willing to use their reputation and credibility in service of their protege. When compared to mentors, sponsors are more invested in their proteges as they take bigger personal risks to champion them.

In fact, sponsors endorse proteges directly, using their influence, power, and networking to help give them exposure to better career opportunities. The simplest way to state this is that a sponsor speaks about you in rooms you don't even know exist.

Therefore, it has to be said that establishing a mentorship relationship can provide mentees with immense advantages, such as new knowledge, expanded networks and the ability to advance their career.

Having a mentor is more than just setting and achieving goals; it's about having someone in your corner who can provide valuable feedback, encouragement and support to help you grow both professionally and personally.

Mentorship more importantly, serves as a vital lifeline in navigating the complex landscape of data analytics which I know well from experience as a mentor provides more than just career advice; they offer insights, share experiences and help mentees avoid common pitfalls.

For African women, mentors can be instrumental in overcoming barriers related to gender, microaggressions and racial biases.

Want to know more? Sign up to get the weekly Connecting Africa newsletter direct to your inbox.

— Nollie Maoto is writing in her capacity as a member of the Africa Tech Festival Leadership Council.

She will also be speaking at Africa Tech Festival 2024 which is happening in Cape Town, South Africa from November 12-14, 2024.

Look out for another thought leadership piece by Maoto on the importance of networking, coming soon.

*Top image is of FNB Compliance CDAO and Africa Tech Festival Leadership Council Member Nollie Maoto. (Source: Nollie Maoto)

— Nollie Maoto, Correspondent, special to Connecting Africa