Let’s Talk Impact Podcast with Jermaine Myrie (hosted by Justyna Kedra @WERULE)
Introduction
Mentorship has long been a key element in professional and personal development. Yet, despite its longstanding importance, the understanding and application of mentorship have evolved significantly in recent years. From corporate boardrooms to community-based initiatives, the concept of mentorship has gained momentum, transcending its traditional boundaries.
In a recent conversation on the “Let’s Talk Impact” podcast between Jermaine Myrie, the Chief Executive Officer of Mentor, and Justyna Kedra, founder of WERULE, the power of mentorship was discussed at length. Both experts in their respective fields emphasized the human element at the core of mentorship and the evolving cultural shifts that are influencing how mentoring is perceived and practiced globally.
This article will explore key insights from their conversation, focusing on the importance of authentic human connections in mentorship, the role of community, the evolving definition of mentorship across cultures, and how mentorship is no longer just a privilege for the few but a universal right for all.
The Evolution of Mentorship: Beyond Volunteerism
Mentorship is not a new concept, but it is one that has shifted significantly in its scope and significance. Historically, mentorship was often viewed as a one-way street—a mentor imparts wisdom and guidance to a mentee. However mentorship is becoming more about mutual growth, where both the mentor and mentee learn and evolve through their interactions.
Why Mentorship Is Not Just Volunteerism
The idea that mentorship is simply volunteerism or a quick, transactional experience is gradually being debunked. Mentorship is about building deep, human connections that have a lasting impact. Mentoring relationships require time, effort, and emotional investment, making them far more significant than just casual advice exchanges or job-specific guidance.
Mentoring, especially when done correctly, involves empathy, active listening, and mutual respect. It’s about sharing personal stories, understanding one another’s struggles, and guiding each other through personal or professional challenges. Whether a mentee is navigating a career change or a life transformation, mentorship provides the space for both individuals to reflect, grow, and adapt.
The Role of Community in Mentorship
One of the most compelling parts of this conversation is the emphasis on community-based mentorship. Both Jermaine and Justyna recognize that effective mentorship doesn’t only happen in corporate environments or academic institutions. It is deeply rooted in local communities where people are connected by shared experiences and common goals.
Mentorship as a Localized Experience
While the mentoring movement has global potential, its greatest impact happens on a local level. Jermaine speaks passionately about this localized magic, emphasizing that true mentoring doesn’t rely solely on technology or virtual connections but on fostering real, face-to-face relationships that transcend geographical boundaries. It’s about building networks within communities where people are not just mentors or mentees but also neighbors, friends, and peers.
Justyna echoes this sentiment, noting that mentorship should be seen as a universal right—not a privilege reserved for certain segments of society, such as those attending Ivy League universities or working in top-tier companies. Both agree that the access to mentors should be available to anyone, regardless of their background, location, or socioeconomic status.
The focus here is on creating an ecosystem where mentorship is seen as a communal responsibility, not just something that happens within the context of formal education or professional success. It’s about creating an environment where individuals, regardless of age, gender, or career stage, can tap into the wisdom and experiences of others.
High-Quality Mentorship: More Than Just Advice
A significant part of the conversation also revolves around the need for high-quality mentorship. It’s not enough to simply have someone who can give advice or guidance; mentorship needs to be intentional, relational, and purposeful.
What Does High-Quality Mentorship Look Like?
Jermaine and Justyna both emphasize that high-quality mentorship is built on trust and emotional intelligence. It’s about providing a safe space where mentees feel comfortable sharing their vulnerabilities, challenges, and aspirations. Mentors, in turn, should approach their role with patience, empathy, and the commitment to help their mentees succeed—not just professionally but personally as well.
Mentorship, when done well, transcends technical guidance. It becomes a partnership that helps mentees tackle life’s challenges with confidence, resilience, and clarity. High-quality mentoring relationships require regular communication, emotional investment, and a commitment to growth on both sides.
For organizations like Mentor, the goal is to fuel high-quality, relationship-centered practices that help strengthen and expand the mentoring movement. This involves providing resources, frameworks, and support to individuals and organizations alike, ensuring that mentorship doesn’t become a one-off experience but a long-term, life-changing journey.
Mentorship Across Cultures: A Global Movement
One of the most interesting aspects of the conversation revolves around how mentorship is perceived and practiced in different parts of the world. Jermaine’s experience with Mentor Europe and the European Mentoring Conference provides a fascinating look at how mentorship is adapted and understood across various cultures.
The Global Context of Mentorship
As Jermaine shares, mentorship is not a one-size-fits-all model. Each culture has its own unique context and understanding of what mentorship should look like. For example, during the European Mentoring Conference, Jermaine encountered stakeholders from a variety of countries—Bulgaria, Spain, the UK, France, and Norway—all of whom had different ideas and practices when it comes to mentoring.
The key takeaway here is that mentorship needs to be adapted to fit the cultural and societal context of each region. While the core principles of mentorship remain the same—building trust, offering guidance, and fostering growth—the way in which these principles are applied can vary significantly across cultures.
Defining Mentorship Globally
What’s exciting is that there’s a growing global movement to define and standardize mentorship in a way that respects cultural differences but also ensures that the practice remains impactful and effective. The focus is on creating frameworks that allow people from different backgrounds and contexts to access the benefits of mentorship, whether it’s professional development, life guidance, or even spiritual support.
Justyna’s observations about how mentorship is shifting towards more personal, deeper connections reflect this global trend. Today, mentorship is not limited to professional development but extends to other areas of life, including mental health, spirituality, and personal resilience. Mentors are increasingly seen as guides in navigating life’s complexities, not just career-specific hurdles.
Mentorship as a Right, Not a Privilege
A significant point that both Jermaine and Justyna stress is that mentorship should be available to all, regardless of socio-economic background, educational level, or geographic location. Justyna poignantly notes that mentorship, especially in high-functioning companies or Ivy League institutions, is often reserved for those with privilege. However, the ultimate goal is to shift this paradigm and ensure that mentorship becomes accessible to everyone.
Shifting the Narrative: Mentorship as a Universal Right
This shift is already underway in various parts of the world, as organizations like Mentor work to expand access to quality mentoring programs. Both Jermaine and Justyna believe that mentorship, especially in today’s globalized world, should not be seen as a luxury but as an essential resource for personal and professional growth.
This idea aligns with the larger cultural shift toward democratizing access to resources, knowledge, and opportunities. With the rise of mentorship programs in schools, community organizations, and businesses, the goal is to make mentorship a universal right, not a privilege reserved for a select few.
Conclusion: The Power of Mentorship in Creating Change
The conversation between Jermaine Myrie and Justyna Kedra highlights the critical role that mentorship plays in shaping not only individual lives but also entire communities and societies. By focusing on high-quality, relationship-centered practices, the mentoring movement is poised to make a lasting impact on global cultures.
Mentorship is not just about imparting knowledge—it’s about building meaningful, human connections that foster personal growth, resilience, and success. Whether it’s helping someone navigate their career, providing emotional support during a life transition, or guiding someone through spiritual exploration, mentorship has the power to transform lives.
As we move forward, it’s essential to continue to advocate for mentorship as a universal right, ensuring that everyone has access to the guidance, support, and wisdom they need to thrive. By doing so, we can create a world where mentorship is not just a privilege for the few, but an opportunity for all.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why is mentorship so important?
Mentorship provides individuals with guidance, support, and wisdom to navigate both personal and professional challenges. It fosters growth, builds confidence, and helps individuals unlock their full potential.
2. Can mentorship be done remotely or does it need to be in person?
While in-person mentorship can offer a more personal connection, mentorship can be just as effective through virtual means. The key is to maintain consistency, open communication, and mutual respect in the relationship.
3. How can mentorship be made more accessible to everyone?
Organizations, schools, and communities can help expand access to mentorship by offering programs and resources that connect individuals with mentors from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
4. What is the future of mentorship?
The future of mentorship will likely see more diverse and personalized experiences, with mentors helping mentees navigate not just career-related questions but also personal, emotional, and spiritual challenges.