How Mentors Help Women Challenge Their Thinking

The Value of Mentoring There were moments when I moved forward on my own trial and error, no clear guidance, unsure if what I was feeling was normal or if I simply had to “push through.” Until one day, a woman appeared who didn’t tell me what to do, but taught me how to think more clearly about my decisions. She didn’t give me answers, she gave me better questions. She didn’t stand above me, she stood beside me. And although it may sound simple, it was truly transformative. Mentoring isn’t just professional support; it’s an act of generosity, a transfer of wisdom, a quiet form of validation. When a woman chooses to guide another, she’s doing more than sharing knowledge, she’s opening doors she herself once had to force open. And that is one of the most powerful forms of leadership I know. To every woman rising in her career, I want to say this: You don’t have to do it alone. And if you are now in a place of influence, remember someone like you, with your story, your path, and your unique way of seeing the world, could be the guide another woman is quietly hoping for. If you’re seeking a mentor, start by noticing who inspires you, who challenges you with respect, who listens without judgment. Sometimes, one conversation, one question, one look of support is all it takes to shift someone’s path. I invite you to use this space to share: Have you ever had a mentor who made a lasting impact on your journey? I’m here to read your stories, because in what we share, there’s wisdom worth gold. #PurposefulLeadership #WomenWhoInspire #NetworkOfWomenLeaders

Here are the kinds of mentors who shaped my journey! Early in my career, I thought the best mentors were the ones who always had my back, and who made me feel like a rockstar. But guess what? It took me a while to realize that the mentors who truly impacted my life were often the ones I initially wanted to avoid. Here's how they broke down: 1. Mentors who were tough on me These are the mentors who don't mince words. They set high expectations and push you to your limits. You might even dread your meetings with them because you know they'll point out every flaw in your project or presentation. But guess what? It's precisely this rigorous scrutiny that propels you to refine your skills and aim for excellence. 2. Those who gave me feedback you didn’t want to hear Let's be honest, not all feedback is easy to swallow. These mentors are the ones who tell you that your strategy lacks clarity or that your project management skills need improvement. Ouch! But here's the kicker: this is the feedback that fosters growth. 3. Mentors who hesitate to call You know the call is going to be uncomfortable. Maybe they'll question your recent decisions or challenge your long-term strategy. But these mentors—the Reality Checkers—are invaluable. They're the ones who'll make you question your assumptions and rethink your strategies. Great mentors aren't just cheerleaders; they're coaches, critics, and challengers rolled into one. They make you uncomfortable, but that discomfort is the crucible in which your professional mettle is tested and refined. So, don't shy away from the tough love—it's what makes you resilient, competent, and ultimately, successful! So, who are your great mentors? #success #mentors #motivation #constructiverebels

Can we talk? Three words that gave me my biggest professional breakthrough Recently, I had the privilege of speaking with a diverse group of women leaders about their career journeys. Their stories resonated deeply with my own experience, reminding me how organizations thrive when active mentoring and coaching supports leaders in their in shaping careers and enabling leaders to support others in their leadership journeys. I spoke quite openly about imposter syndrome at a pivotal juncture in my career, as many professionals do. Here is my personal story about finding a mentor, and how this transformed my career. Early in my career, after a recent job shift, I experienced a series of failures. I began to doubt everything. Then, an unexpected opportunity presented itself: a job in another business vertical that was run by a person known to be a great mentor, someone a lot of people would speak to for advice. I sent the straightforward message, "Can we talk?" with nothing to lose and everything to gain. True to every word I had heard about this person, I received a response pretty quicikly and I set up a simple coffee conversation one sunny afternoon in a conference room where I came straight to the point - why is this happening? Am I not good enough? Everything changed after that talk. I was struggling with imposter syndrome while attempting to negotiate a totally different organisational culture, and my mentor saw past my technical proficiency to identify the true issue. What began as a call for assistance turned into a life-changing experience. With constant direction, he assisted me reframe these feelings of inadequacy into strengths. The same role that once felt overwhelming became the foundation for my long-term success. This is the reason why, Through my own career and now mentoring professionals through their career journeys, I strongly advocate for the importance of building a personal board of directors (5-10 individuals) who serve three critical roles: ↳Coaches: Providing tactical guidance ↳Mentors: Sharing wisdom and experience ↳Sponsors: Opening doors and advocating for you Consider the following questions as you read my story: ↳Who is in your support network? ↳How do you keep these relationships going? ↳What value do you bring to them? ↳How will you pay it forward? Finding a mentor may seem difficult, but it can be the most rewarding investment you make to have a multiplier effect in your career. Here are some tips to find mentors and make them matter: ↳Define what you need in a mentor ↳Create a list of potential mentors ↳Reach out and make a specific request ↳Establish goals and follow through Your story is important. Have you ever had a mentoring experience that altered the course of your career? Your story may be just what someone else needs to hear, so please share it below.

The best mentors do this 1 thing differently. Most people think great mentors have all the answers. But the truth? The best mentors don’t give answers. They ask the right questions. ↳ Questions that challenge perspectives. ↳ Questions that spark reflection. ↳ Questions that empower action. I once had a mentee come to me, feeling stuck. They had a tough decision to make and wanted me to tell them what to do. Instead of giving an answer, I asked: "What would you do if failure wasn’t an option?" They paused. Thought deeply. And then, I saw them gain clarity. They didn’t need me to decide for them. They needed a question that unlocked their own wisdom. That’s what great mentors do. ↳ A mentor who dictates the path creates dependence. ↳ A mentor who guides through questions builds confidence, ownership, and long-term growth. So, if you want to be an impactful mentor, remember this: Ask more questions than you answer. Your greatest value isn’t just in the knowledge you share; It's in the clarity you help others gain. 💭 Have you helped others gain clarity through powerful questions? __ Follow Gabriela to benefit from insights on Mentorship, Leadership & Personal Growth.

Everyone talks about finding mentors, but no one tells you why it works beyond finding a job. The right mentor will change you for the good. They won't just guide you - they have the power to completely transform how you function at work and life. During my early design days at Scra2ch, I was focused solely on creating beautiful interfaces. Then, among other things, the mentorship at the startup taught me a lot about customer centricity. I used to talk to the nail artists and the customers who'll actually use the service - to better understand the work. [Shout out to Ujwala Asundi Kumar, Rakhi Priya and Vishal Agarwala - you shaped my foundation!] That approach changed everything. I spent hours understanding their challenges, motivations, and daily routines. Suddenly, design became less about only aesthetics and more about holistic impact on user experience. Looking back, each mentor shaped my approach differently. Some taught me technical skills, others showed me how to listen and understand deeply. Here are the most important things I learned about getting  and giving mentorship: 📌 For getting mentorship: • Look for mentors who challenge your assumptions. • Seek those who've walked similar paths. • Connect authentically, not just for career gains. 📌 For mentoring others: • Focus on developing empathy first, through active listening. • Help finding and aligning personal values with professional goals. • Focus on building confidence, resilience, and self-reliance beyond skills. The best mentors don't just teach you design or business. They show you how to see the world through others' eyes. Today, I still have so many mentors that I am grateful for and I myself spend countless hours by being one. Trust me, it is one of the best part of my professional journey. Whether you're creating products or solving problems, remember - great outcomes starts with understanding people. #designthinking #mentorship

Finding a mentor has never been just about experience—it's about finding a strategic partner who challenges your thinking and helps you grow. When I first sought mentors, I focused on those with years of experience, thinking that was the key to success. But it wasn’t until I connected with someone who really challenged my assumptions that I began to see real progress. This mentor didn’t just offer advice; they pushed me to think differently and step out of my comfort zone. That made all the difference. Experience is valuable, but a great mentor brings more than knowledge. They offer fresh perspectives, a strong network, and aligned values. Based on what I've learned, here’s what to look for in an ideal mentor: - Seek a Strategic Partner: Find someone who challenges you to explore new ideas. This type of mentor fosters both personal and professional growth. - Look Beyond Your Industry: A mentor with a different background can provide unique insights and solutions that you might not encounter within your field. - Value Their Network: A well-connected mentor can introduce you to key opportunities and expand your professional circle. - Ensure a Communication Fit: Effective communication is crucial. A mentor whose style aligns with yours leads to a more productive relationship. - Think Long-Term: A good mentor can guide you through various stages of growth, helping you navigate both present challenges and future opportunities. - Be Open to Trial and Error: Finding the right mentor takes time. If it’s not a good fit, don’t be afraid to move on until you find someone who truly supports and challenges you. Ultimately, the right mentors aren't just about experience—they push you to grow, open new doors, and share your vision. Choose wisely, because it’s the relationship, not just the credentials, that shapes your journey. . . . #mentors #rightmentorship

Remember this: surrounding yourself with people who challenge you can impact your career in very significant ways. I once shared a new project idea with someone experienced and instead of immediately encouraging me, she cautioned me and shared insight into potential pitfalls. Out of all the mentors I’ve met over the years, she was the first to be searingly honest and splash cold water on my ideas and assumptions. It was jarring at first. I wasn’t used to it. It took a bit of time to absorb and understand her advice. To my peril, I hadn’t considered seeking those with a different perspective in the early stages of my plan. Then, I later realized her honest words were EXACTLY what I needed to hear in this situation. She helped me fully understand the potential risks and what could trip me up. If I hadn’t heard her caution, I would assumed a lot and raced ahead to do things the way I’ve always done them. That could have resulted in a disastrous outcome. After accepting her frank counsel, I felt exponentially more grateful for this wise advisor. While we often hear about the importance of surrounding ourselves with supportive individuals, it's not always easy to hear "No" or face cold, hard truths. However, the growth and learning that come from tough feedback and different perspectives are immeasurable. This kind of input can save time, money, heartache and reputational damage – it can prevent us from going around the mountain again and again. I used to know a leader of a well-known organization who surrounded herself with "Yes" people – those who wouldn't dare share an opposing viewpoint. She was stuck in her glory days and refused to change anything at work, resulting in a revolving door of people leaving the company without telling her the truth about why they were resigning. She was the epitome of the emperor without clothes. It's important to find a balance though – surrounding ourselves with ‘Mr. No’ and ‘Ms. No’ people who question us doesn't mean seeking out negativity or opposition for its own sake. Rather, it's about inviting differing views and constructive criticism by which we can make more informed choices. Further, embracing a "no" mentality within our circles can create an environment of "constructive friction" that can spark creativity and innovation, leading to transformative results. When we're continually challenged, it prompts us to think outside the box and approach situations from fresh angles. Having people in our inner circle who aren’t afraid to counter our assumptions helps us identify and address blind spots which can lead to growth and improvement. So, be open to finding those who don't simply nod in agreement but rather engage in thought-provoking discussions and offer valuable advice to help you grow, learn and ultimately, succeed. Have you experienced similar? __ Follow Zab Capital Holdings - we're expanding our network in Asia. We're striving to improve the world through one deal at a time!