Be the shoulders for someone else to stand on

When I look back over my career, it’s impossible to separate my progress from the people who took the time to mentor me.

At key moments along the way, someone more experienced paused long enough to listen, challenge my thinking, or offer perspective that only experience can bring (you know who you are!). Sometimes those conversations were about big decisions – whether to take a new role, change direction, or step into leadership.  At others, it was guidance through the tough times, dealing with conflict or navigating senior politics. Many were smaller but equally important moments: a reminder to believe in myself, put a positive spin on a setback, or someone simply saying, “You can do this.”

Those moments matter much, much more than we often realise.

Mentoring has a remarkable ability to accelerate confidence as much as competence. When someone you respect sees potential in you before you fully see it in yourself, it can be truly transformative, as I have experienced firsthand.  Absolutely not always in the way you expect, but in a way that, with hindsight, makes you realise how important that pivotal conversation was.

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have mentors who were generous with their time, honest in their feedback and unwavering in their belief that leadership is something you grow into, not something you wait to be given.

Over time, one of the most rewarding parts of my career to date has been the opportunity to mentor others in return.

Supporting someone as they navigate a challenge, find their voice, or realise they are capable of more than they imagined is a genuine privilege, and one that I absolutely don’t take for granted. It’s also a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t just about what you achieve personally, but about how many others you help to progress.

In 2023, I was honoured to be named WIBF’s Mentor of the Year. While the recognition was deeply appreciated, what meant the most to me was what it represented: the power of investing in other people.

Mentoring isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking thoughtful questions, sharing experiences openly, and creating a space where someone can think out loud without judgement.

Without doubt I’ve learned just as much from the people I’ve mentored as they may have learned from me.

The philosophy by which I stand is simple and I live and breathe it every day: Be the shoulders for someone else to stand on.

Someone once did that for you.

At some point in your career, it becomes your turn to do the same.  I would love it if that time could be now.

WIBF supports university students right up to those in NED and Board roles, so no matter your experience, there is always someone who would benefit from your time and energy.   If you’re on the fence because you’re not sure you’re ready, we have lots of great content and training available to our members.  If you’re a man reading this thinking ‘this is just for women’, you would be wrong – we have lots of male mentors whose experience is absolutely invaluable for a woman finding her way in what is still very much a male-dominated industry.

If you have any other hesitations, please do reach out to us – we’re here to help you.

If you are a WIBF member and would like to mentor someone click here.

If you are not a member, click here to find out how to get involved.

Vicky Soden, WIBF CEO