What does reverse mentoring or reverse mentoring mean?

Reverse tutoring refers to an initiative in which older executives are matched and advised by younger employees on topics such as technology, social networks and current trends.

In the technology industry or other companies that rely heavily on technology, reverse tutoring is seen as a way to update older employees in areas that are often second nature to 20-year-old employees, whose lives have been integrated more deeply with computers and the web.

There are many benefits for the mentor and the mentor when working through a mentoring agreement. Organizations that support mentoring also benefit.

Benefits for the apprentice

• Become a mentor of another (peer to peer, reverse, new employee, etc.)
• Develop a more precise approach to what matters personally
• Foster commitment
• Expand contact network
• Frame the attitude required to fulfill the commitments
• Identify the steps necessary to achieve the agreed objectives
• Outline Commitments
• Increase trust
• Map the future in conversation with the mentor
• Meet and establish contacts with people who can generate opportunities
• Recognize the high state of development
• Support personal professional development

Benefits for the mentor

• Celebrate the inspiration of new ways of working
• Discover different perspectives of work organization.
• Raise professional skills
• Examine personal and vocational ideas
• Experience the challenge to existing knowledge and skills
• Explore different ways of thinking
• Feel personal satisfaction
• Get an ally to promote a healthier workplace
• Learn from alternative approaches
• Make a contribution to your profession / industry
• Realize that your knowledge and skill is valuable to others
• Reflect on apprentice learning for your own development
• Use the experience in new ways

Benefits for the organization

• Advanced professional development
• Raise knowledge capture and transfer
• Encourage retention
• Improve strategic business initiatives
• Improve human capital
• Increase productivity
• Link employee knowledge and information
• Promote continuous improvement
• Reduce rotation costs
• Support the diversity of ideas
• Use existing employees as educators

The idea that senior executives could learn one or two things from new employees goes against traditional workplace practices, where most of the more experienced workers often provide the most information, make decisions and provide mentoring new employees with less experience. However, rapid advances in technology and trends have reversed this logic in some offices, where older workers may have experience and knowledge, but lack strong skills in newer technologies.

In addition, while some senior executives feel insulted by the notion of being advised by a new employee, many see it as an opportunity to give and receive, where new and experienced employees share their knowledge, which increases the understanding of both groups. and improves communication and collaboration in general in the workplace.