Give to Gain - the untapped power of mentoring in advancing women
International Women’s Day 2026 – “Give to Gain”
As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2026 and this year’s theme of “Give to Gain,” I find myself reflecting on my 37-year corporate career. One of the most powerful forms of “giving” I experienced, and witnessed, was mentorship, particularly programmes designed to support the advancement of women.
It’s one of the clearest examples of give to gain and remains an untapped resource in many organisations. Mentorship is a reciprocal relationship where both sides benefit, organisations strengthen, and wider networks flourish.
Why Mentoring Women Still Matters in 2026
1. Women are still underrepresented in senior leadership
While more women are moving into management roles, progression to senior and executive positions still lags. Mentoring helps bridge this by giving women access to:
Organisational knowledge
Leadership behaviours
Navigation skills
Strategic visibility
2. Confidence and self‑advocacy remain key accelerators
Many talented women underestimate their ability or wait for “readiness.” A mentor can challenge old patterns, broaden perspectives, and encourage thoughtful stretch.
3. Mentoring builds the relational capital women need to thrive
Advancement is rarely just about what you know, it’s about who champions your growth. Mentoring builds alliances and strengthens networks that open doors.
How Mentorship Creates Reciprocal Growth
Mentoring is often framed as something the mentee benefits from, but in reality, it is deeply reciprocal.
For mentors, the gains include:
Strengthened leadership capability
Fresh perspectives from emerging talent
Broader networks
Enhanced communication and coaching skills
The satisfaction of making a meaningful difference
Across my career, every mentoring relationship has shaped me as much as I shaped the other person. Their ambition, courage, and insight expanded my thinking, my empathy, and my understanding of the evolving workplace.
For mentees, the gains multiply:
Greater clarity and confidence
Skill development and stretch
Access to networks
Strategic career guidance
Support navigating barriers
Strengthened self-belief
Recognition of their true potential
When mentoring happens at scale within an organisation, the effect is exponential. Cultures shift. Women rise. Leaders become more inclusive, emotionally intelligent, and future-focused.
What Makes a Mentoring Culture Thrive
From my experience coaching leaders, teams, and organisations, several conditions consistently shape powerful mentoring cultures:
1. Intentionality
Mentoring isn’t left to chance, it is designed, supported, and valued.
2. Psychological safety
Mentoring thrives when women feel safe to be open, ambitious, and vulnerable without judgement.
3. Time and permission
Leaders must feel empowered to dedicate time to mentoring. When mentoring is positioned as a strategic leadership behaviour, it becomes embedded in the culture rather than an optional extra.
4. Diverse mentors and role models
Women need to see a range of leadership identities, not a single mould. Diversity of experience leads to richer conversations and more accessible inspiration.
5. Accountability and recognition
Great mentors should be acknowledged. Mentoring should play a visible role in talent development and succession planning.
6. Executive sponsorship
Successful mentoring programmes need strong senior sponsorship to champion their value and impact.
How This Connects to My Women in Leadership Offering
Much of my work with women, whether in 1:1 coaching, group programmes, or leadership development , is rooted in these principles of giving and gaining.
My Women in Leadership programme includes:
Peer‑to‑peer mentoring
Peer networking
Confidence and presence coaching
Visibility and influence development
A strong community of support
When women are supported, believed in, and connected, their growth accelerates — and organisations thrive as a result.
A mentoring programme for women is one of the most powerful vehicles for this transformation.
What Will You Give?
This International Women’s Day, I invite you to reflect:
What will you give to gain gender equality?
A conversation?
Your experience?
Your advocacy?
A mentoring relationship?
Your visibility to another woman who deserves to be seen?
Every act of giving creates momentum.
And when women thrive, we all rise.
For Organisations
If your organisation is exploring how to build a mentoring culture or strengthen the pipeline of future women leaders, I’d be delighted to talk. I partner with corporates to design and deliver mentoring programmes, Women in Leadership pathways, and tailored development experiences that create meaningful, measurable impact.
If you’re interested in supporting your women leaders or developing a sustainable mentoring culture, please reach out for a further conversation through our free discover call link.
Find out more about our Women in Leadership services here https://www.valora.ie/women-in-leadership