Mentorship at GEN-I

At GEN-I, our mentorship program connects colleagues with diverse experiences and perspectives – those eager to share their knowledge and those seeking new opportunities for growth in their work environment.

Mentorship is part of a broader employee development system that fosters personal and professional growth. It is built on openness, exchange, and a willingness to collaborate. Through regular meetings and workshops aimed at achieving set goals, participants broaden their horizons, strengthen their skills, and contribute to better cross-departmental collaboration.

Anja is one of our colleagues who has participated in the 5-month program multiple times – both as a mentee and as a mentor. In her experience, she highlights the values we live by at GEN-I every day: openness, inclusion, and dedication.

We invite you to read a short interview where she shares her thoughts, challenges, and insights from her mentoring journey.

You have been a mentor several times. What keeps motivating you to join the program?

Anja: I first joined the mentorship program as a mentee and gained a lot from it. The program gave me structured time and space to develop the competencies I wanted to grow – something that’s often hard to achieve in the fast pace of daily work (where regular meetings are usually focused on current tasks, results, and solving immediate challenges). With my mentor, I had the opportunity to reflect on which steps I could quickly test in practice. My mentor shared their experiences, guided me, and helped me broaden my perspective through thoughtful challenges. Because of this great experience, I am always happy to accept the invitation to mentor others and offer them the same supportive environment I once received.

How do you think you contribute most as a mentor?

Anja: I contribute the most by providing dedicated time and a safe space where the mentee can speak freely, ask questions, and explore ideas. My openness encourages honest exchanges and questions without fear of making mistakes. I believe active listening and sharing experiences in a way that sparks reflection in the mentee are key.

I would also emphasize that successful mentorship requires contributions from both sides – from mentor and mentee. It is a partnership where both actively engage, learn from each other, and explore solutions and new perspectives together. It is important to understand that this is not a hierarchical relationship like that of a teacher and student.

How does mentorship impact your personal and professional development?

Anja: With every mentoring experience, I learn something new – whether it is an insight about myself, a new understanding of how I approach relationships, or knowledge passed on directly or indirectly by the mentee. The workshops for mentoring pairs are also a valuable source of new insights, where we gain practical tools for effective coaching and adapting to different situations.

I could say mentoring is a unique training in openness, adaptability, and empathy, as it encourages me to reflect on how I can best support someone while also growing myself. I primarily see it as an opportunity for personal growth, which naturally translates into enhanced skills important for career development (e.g., collaboration, empathetic leadership, and creative, thoughtful problem-solving).

What advice would you give to someone considering joining the mentorship program?

Anja: Whether you are thinking of joining as a mentor or a mentee, I definitely recommend giving it a try. Mentors can also see it as a chance to reflect on their own path, values, and goals, and gain insights they might not reach on their own.

At the same time, it is a process that encourages participants to step out of their comfort zone and empowers them to trust themselves and collaborate with others.

Beyond gaining knowledge, mentorship is also a great way to connect with colleagues on a deeper level and significantly contributes to building a culture based on mutual support, sharing experiences, and learning from one another.

To sum it up: approach it with openness, curiosity, and a desire to learn and co-create our community.