The concept of reverse mentoring – where young mentors provide knowledge and insight to older mentees – is becoming ever more prevalent in the business world. Could this be the solution to help workforces with understanding AI? Here, we discuss what reverse mentoring is, how it can help employees with understanding AI, and how employers can establish the concept within their organisations.
Understanding AI – What Is Reverse Mentoring?
Many organisations use traditional mentoring as an effective method of internal training and development. This is where a new or younger employee (the mentee) will be paired with one with more experience (the mentor). The mentee will learn from the mentor, benefitting from their wealth of knowledge and experience, and apply it in their own work. Sometimes, a single mentor can work with multiple mentees at once in a group setting.
The theory is similar for the concept of reverse mentoring. The mentor still provides knowledge and insight to the mentee, with the mentee learning and developing as a result. However, reverse mentoring generally involves young mentors and older mentees, or more junior staff mentoring those who are more senior.
The mentor typically provides support, encouragement, and guidance on anything which the mentee is unsure about. The mentee should feel free to approach the mentor with any difficulties they are experiencing. The mentor will try to advise the mentee, giving coaching and feedback to assist.
Benefits of Reverse Mentoring
Reverse mentoring can be beneficial to both mentors and mentees. Because reverse mentoring typically involves young mentors, facilitating this professional collaboration makes them feel valued and builds their confidence. It also prepares them for career progression, providing leadership experience at an early stage. These benefits will, in turn, make for a happier workforce and help to boost employee retention.
Simultaneously, older mentors are able to benefit from new knowledge, experience, or perspectives. This can encourage them to learn different skills or approach issues in a different way.
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More broadly, reverse mentoring helps to achieve a more diverse and inclusive workforce. Learning to appreciate others’ experiences and perspectives helps to nurture a more positive and cohesive workplace culture. It also makes for a more supportive and collaborative workforce which fosters attitudes of respect and encourages innovation. All of these points together tend to result in better employee retention.
Why Reverse Mentoring Helps Employees with Understanding AI
Over recent years, artificial intelligence has become increasingly commonplace in many businesses. From generative AI helping with document production to machine learning assisting with data analytics, artificial intelligence is appearing in many different areas. Artificial intelligence can be greatly beneficial to businesses for many reasons. However, there is no denying that its implementation constitutes a considerable learning curve for all employees involved.
Reverse mentoring is one concept which can help address this issue. Typically, younger generations have grown up with various types of technologies featuring heavily in their every-day lives. As such, many have developed proficient digital skills from an early age. They commence employment with these pre-existing digital skills, in a perfect position to share these with their less tech-savvy colleagues.
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This constitutes a wonderful opportunity for reverse mentoring. Young mentors helping older mentees with artificial intelligence by sharing their digital skills can be of immense value in the workplace. Understanding AI and using AI are becoming two essential requirements for many roles. Enlisting the assistance of employees with digital skills to assist those without promotes a supportive and progressive culture, thus boosting employee retention.
In research conducted by social scientists, participants were asked to complete 18 different tasks both with and without using AI. Results showed that those using AI produced 40% better quality outcomes. Those using AI completed 12.2% more tasks and 25.1% more quickly than those not using AI. These figures would tend to demonstrate the importance of understanding AI in today’s workplace.
How Employers Can Establish Reverse Mentoring Schemes
The benefits of reverse mentoring seem undeniable. The importance of understanding AI is equally clear. It makes complete business sense to put the two together. Implementing reverse mentoring in the workplace to help all employees with understanding AI is something which many businesses should consider. But how can this be achieved in practice?
Initially, it is advisable to promote the concept of reverse mentoring in the workplace. Employers should discuss the notion with employees in advance, explaining the potential benefits for young mentors and older mentees alike. Employers might put guidelines in place so that everyone involved knows what will be expected of them. Mentors and mentees should also be encouraged to set goals and create plans to provide a structure and better monitor success.
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It will be important to encourage mutual respect and engagement from all parties to establish trusting and rewarding mentorships. Communication is key when it comes to any form of mentoring. It is possible that mentors and mentees may feel a little uncomfortable to begin with, particularly due to the hierarchical role reversal. Both parties should be encouraged to listen to one another and to give and accept feedback. Similarly, encouraging older mentors to be open-minded and learn from their young mentees will help the mentorship to achieve its aim.
Our Final Thoughts
As with all new schemes, it will be important to monitor the effectiveness of reverse mentoring. Employers should review their schemes and discuss the impact with mentors and mentees to assess their success. Changes can then be made accordingly, if necessary, to achieve the best possible reverse mentoring scheme.
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