The benefits of landing a mentor – and thus getting access to all sorts of work-related wisdom and guidance – are well known. Career progression, access to new opportunities and fresh skills are all on offer if you track down a great mentor. So it’s no wonder that so many of us are so keen to find such a person, as we regularly search for ’how to find a mentor’ and keep a watchful eye out for anyone senior to us who might be up for chatting. But what we probably aren’t considering as frequently is the opposite: imparting our knowledge and experience upwards, to someone who might be higher up the work ladder (or lattice) than we are. 

This is reverse mentoring, and it’s an underappreciated tool that can have a big impact. 

“In the dynamic landscape of the modern workplace, reverse mentoring emerges as a revolutionary tool,” Patrice Gordon, the founder of Eminere and the author of Reverse Mentoring: Removing Barriers And Building Belonging In The Workplace, tells Stylist. “Reverse mentoring flips the traditional mentor-mentee relationship, encouraging knowledge exchange where under-represented individuals mentor senior counterparts. 

“This approach, especially in diverse and inclusive workplaces, fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of different perspectives, breaking down hierarchical and generational barriers.”

It’s clear to see the benefits for whoever’s receiving that knowledge, but reverse mentoring can be helpful for the person giving the knowledge, too. Especially, Gordon says, when it comes to imposter syndrome. “In my role as a reverse mentoring specialist, I have been privileged to witness first-hand the transformative impact of this approach on combating imposter syndrome,” she explains. 

Ahead, she breaks down some of the ways reverse mentoring can help to tackle imposter syndrome. 

“It’s eye-opening when you pair up with someone with a different lived experience in a reverse mentoring setup,” Gordon says. “It’s like looking at your journey through a fresh pair of eyes. You start to recognise the wealth of knowledge and skills you’ve accumulated, often taking them for granted.”

A growth mindset is exactly what it sounds like: moving through the world with the view that we are more than just what we’re born with; we can learn and grow and develop our skills. This perspective is essential when it comes to undoing imposter syndrome. It’s a way of challenging that critical inner voice that tells you you’re not good enough. With a growth mindset, everyone can improve. 

Any sort of mentoring helps to foster a growth mindset, but reverse mentoring especially so. “What’s unique about reverse mentoring is the comfort it brings in opening up,” says Gordon. “The foundation is about creating an environment where vulnerability is not just accepted, but essential for the relationship to develop. It will mean that discussing insecurities, like those nagging doubts of imposter syndrome, will become easier as the relationship develops.”

The very concept of reverse mentoring hammers home the idea that it’s not just those in senior positions who can offer insightful information, but everyone… including you. 

Gordon notes: “Mentors of difference often come with groundbreaking ideas and skills that are not standard in the mentee circle. This interaction has proved to be a stark reminder that everyone has something valuable to offer, providing the ability to chip away at the ‘imposter’ within.

“Mentoring someone can be a real eye-opener to your own abilities. Seeing the positive impact you have on your mentee/mentor can bolster your self-esteem and challenge those feelings of being an ‘imposter’.”

Gordon has seen first-hand how reverse mentoring can help to tackle the perfectionism that is so often part of imposter syndrome. 

“The perfectionist is constantly chasing an unattainable ideal, feeling inadequate despite considerable achievements,” she shares. “Karl, a senior executive, struggled with this, setting unrealistically high standards for himself. He entered into a reverse mentoring relationship with a recent graduate who brought a fresh, less rigid approach to work. This interaction helped Karl realise that perfection isn’t always necessary or realistic. He learned to celebrate small victories and embrace a more balanced approach to his work and personal life.”

“In my work around emotional intelligence, I’ve noticed how reverse mentoring can sharpen this skill for both parties,” says Gordon. “The ability for individuals to increase their self-awareness by sharing and testing their viewpoints in a safe environment helps to put their experiences into perspective. Understanding your emotions and increasing self-awareness is a crucial step in overcoming those feelings of fraudulence.”

Dr Valerie Young, an expert on imposter syndrome, did research that found it manifests in five distinct types. One of those types is ‘the expert’: someone who believes they have to know everything or risk being exposed as a foolish fraud. 

Again, Gordon has seen a great example of how reverse mentoring can help this type to heal. 

“A mid-level manager, Candice, often felt overwhelmed by the ‘expert’ type of imposter syndrome,” she recalls. “She believed she needed to know everything about her field to be seen as competent. Through reverse mentoring with a younger team member, she was exposed to new technologies and perspectives that she hadn’t considered before. This experience helped Candice appreciate the value of continuous learning and understand that expertise isn’t about knowing everything but about knowing how to find and use new information effectively.”

“Reverse mentoring can directly address the various facets of imposter syndrome,” Gordon adds. “By fostering unique connections and offering new perspectives, it helps individuals to reassess their self-perceptions and overcome the doubts that impede their professional and personal growth. As a practitioner and advocate of this method, I have seen its power in not only enhancing skills and knowledge but also in building confidence and reshaping self-identity in the workplace.

“Reverse mentoring is more than just an exchange of skills; it’s a journey of mutual discovery and growth. It stands as a powerful tool against the shadows of imposter syndrome, reshaping how individuals perceive their achievements and capabilities. Through this innovative approach, we can create workplaces where every individual feels valued, competent and confident in their unique contributions.”

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