Brené Brown talks with Patrice Gordon about reverse mentorship, emphasizing psychological safety and creating better leaders. They discuss vulnerability, inclusive leadership, and breaking barriers for successful mentorship relationships. The conversation also includes personal reflections on career choices, leadership advice, and a casual chat about TV shows and movies.
Reverse mentorship fosters inclusive leadership by amplifying underrepresented voices and valuing diverse perspectives.
Organizations must create a culturally safe environment for successful reverse mentoring, prioritizing trust, independent matching, and psychological safety.
Deep dives
Reverse Mentorship and its Impact on Leadership
Reverse mentorship is a practice where a junior team member mentors a senior staff member, often from an underrepresented group. It helps create better leaders by fostering curiosity, learning, and a focus on growth. The practice involves setting up a safe environment for vulnerable conversations, discussing topics like psychological safety and inclusive leadership. By amplifying the voices of underrepresented individuals and valuing diverse perspectives, organizations can break through the homogeneity of decision-making tables.
Patrice Gordon's Journey and Personal Development
Patrice Gordon is an executive coach and personal development advocate specializing in inclusive leadership and reverse mentoring. From her roots as a trained chartered accountant, Patrice has risen through the ranks of leadership in the commercial airlines and logistics industry. Her passion for helping people realize their potential led her to develop a career in coaching. She is known for her contributions in building inclusive environments and cultures, particularly at Virgin Atlantic, where her efforts have been internationally recognized.
Cultural Safety and Psychological Environment
For reverse mentoring to be successful, organizations must create a culturally safe and open environment. This includes acknowledging past shortcomings, setting clear intentions, and committing to change. Building trust, providing independent matching, and establishing regular sessions for mentors to share their experiences are crucial. Psychological safety is paramount, where mentors can speak openly without fear of negative consequences. Leaders need to actively listen, acknowledge emotions, and consider the perspectives brought to the table, especially from underrepresented groups. Reverse mentoring serves as a valuable tool to break down barriers and foster an inclusive and diverse organizational culture.
The Power of Vulnerability and Trust
Reverse mentoring is an opportunity for leaders to embrace vulnerability and learn from the novice mentors. Leaders should recognize that they can't please everyone all the time and focus on their own central ground and values. It requires self-awareness, the ability to accept feedback without defensiveness, and the capacity to communicate effectively. Organizations should prioritize the inclusion of multigenerational diversity, learning from various age groups, and bridging intergenerational gaps. By creating a safe and trusting space, organizations can leverage reverse mentoring to capitalize on diverse experiences and perspectives felt across different generations.
I’m talking with Patrice Gordon about reverse mentorship, a practice that sets up a junior team member, often a member of an underrepresented group, to mentor senior staff. Patrice did a TED talk last fall on how reverse mentorship can help create better leaders, and I loved the approach. We talk through best practices and how to set up a program that provides psychological safety for individuals and for the organization.