The Mentor-Mentee Magic: Unlocking Potential Through Connection

I recently took up a new role in anti-corruption compliance within the organization and I had great expectations. One of them being comprehensive training in the role, only to have nothing happen. A narrative that we all understand very well. Most government agencies in Africa are reliant on traditional training programs to enhance staff competence. With advancement in technology, the uptake of online learning has complemented the traditional in person training programs. While these programs have served the needs for public service employees over time, institutions should consider mentorship as an invaluable learning tool for civil servants. Globally, public servants are an exceptionally knowledgeable work force. This can be attributed to their extensive experience gained from service in various government functions coupled with elaborate employee development programs.

Work experience, expertise and competencies through training are the most common contributors to career growth in public service. And growth may mean different things to different professionals in the industry. Keen on developing my skills, knowledge and experience, I sought opportunities to acquire learning opportunities. I found out about the Africa Women in Tax Network (AWITN) mentorship programme by the Africa Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) and quickly enrolled.

At any stage in life and in your career, there’s always something new to learn. As a civil servant, I have undergone mentorship programmes both of which were extremely insightful. Growth within government can be a challenging experience for many civil servants. One, because opportunities to get promotions are few and the potential candidates are by the hundreds. At this point, standing out is key factor for consideration. So what did I learn from these experiences?

Defining success: It is coming to terms with the reality that growth may not necessarily manifest as a promotion. For some, horizontal growth in the same role provides great satisfaction knowing that you have extensive experience in an area. This allows civil servants to stand out differently as you become the go-to- person in a specific field. For some professionals, this brings out immense fulfilment and contentment from the work they do.

Goal setting: With an understanding of what success looks like, it is time to set goals in alignment with your vision. This will be actionable steps in short term and long term to achieve them. In setting goals, experienced mentors inspire their mentees to think creatively, encouraging them to explore unconventional solutions to complex problems they are facing at personal or professional problems.

Nurturing Future Leaders: One of the great benefits of mentorship is nurturing leadership skills among mentees. Leadership skills allow mentees to influence people and teams at their levels towards achieving specific goals. Through mentorship, aspiring leaders can get a better understanding of their leadership style which goes a long way in knowing approaches to use in influencing decision making. Mentees learn more from mentor’s experiences that academic programs cannot provide. For instance, through lived experiences, mentors share practical problem solving strategies that that have been effective in leading teams to deliver. In addition, mentees get to develop necessary skills to navigate the complexities of governance, people management and public administration.

Self-awareness: The most valuable lesson learnt as a mentee with the Africa Women in Tax Network (AWITN) by the Africa Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), was self-awareness. Through various techniques, I not only got to understand my personality and values but also how to utilize them for growth and success. What was even more interesting is the insight I got from peers and colleagues on my strengths and areas of improvement as a professional. The feedback validated my skillset and expertise beautifully.

Fostering Innovation: The beauty of mentorship is that it nudges you to change your mindset and expand your thinking. Looking out for new ways of doing things through innovation becomes the norm. Mentorship plays a crucial role in fostering innovation by encouraging the exchange of ideas, challenging traditional thinking. It provides a safe space to take risks by experimenting with new ideas. I’m particularly proud of the risks my mentee pushed me to take up as they opened up a whole new world of growth and opportunities.

Government institutions stand to benefit immensely from mentorship programs. From enhancing professional growth to creating a culture of knowledge sharing, mentorship program is an excellent approach to bolstering the competence of junior employees and empowering emerging leaders.

Government involvement in mentorship is not just beneficial but essential for holistic and sustainable development in enhancing expertise of its employees. By leveraging the experience and knowledge of seasoned professionals, governments can save on training costs and enhance employee satisfaction for efficient service delivery.

When run effectively, mentorship programs realise other extra benefits such as improved employee confidence, enhanced innovation and creativity and overall employee satisfaction.

What mentorship approach has worked in your institution?