KNOWING ME, KNOWING YOU
How reverse mentoring develops understanding across the business
Knowing how to run a business is one thing. Really getting to know the people that make it run is another. And there is always more colleagues can learn from each other, whatever their position in the company.
This is one of the reasons members of our leadership team are taking part in a “reverse mentoring” programme, where they are paired with someone in the business from a very different background.
The aim is to get a better understanding of the diverse talents and experiences of colleagues, as well as insight into some of the different challenges facing people across the organisation.
Steve Best, ARL’s finance and commercial director, has been spending time with Hakim Bouhedja, a customer hostat Gospel Oak station – and also our Shining Star employee of the year.
Hakim Bouhedja and Steve Best
Hakim Bouhedja and Steve Best
As the person being mentored, Steve sees the sessions as an opportunity to listen and learn rather than lead and steer the conversation.
“In our first meeting, I learned about Hakim’s family and heritage, his Algerian and muslim background and the challenges he's faced in getting to where he is,” says Steve.
“He's also faced some tough times in his family life too and has come through a lot, so for me it’s important to understand how all these things can shape your attitude and character.
“This has a clear purpose for me. It’s not a ‘nice to meet you’ chat, it is about education and building understanding. My natural disposition is to ask lots of questions and be in ‘help and advise’ mode but in these sessions, I'm stepping back to listen and learn.”
For Hakim, the early sessions showed how much is shared by colleagues regardless of the position or background.
“I had the opportunity to represent my team and share their thoughts,” says Hakim. “And through our conversations I was able to learn and understand more about him, such as his upbringing, career, his role and responsibility within ARL and how much he cares about the business.
“On a personal note, it was a pleasure to speak to Steve on a human level and it turns out we are very similar people, and despite how our day-to-day jobs differ, we were able to find common ground in so many things. So far it’s been an enjoyable experience”
By taking part in the sessions, it’s hoped ARL’s leadership will gain new insight which leads to improvements in the business and a better understanding of how to make it genuinely inclusive at all levels.
Steve adds: “Reverse mentoring can help me ask questions about what I'm doing? How am I supporting and leading this organisation going forward?
“It’s important that there's some meaningful action coming out of it, that adds value to our ESG strategy.
“We are already an incredibly diverse organisation that represents the communities we serve, so having diversity of thinking in our leadership teams is really important. The more we learn and the better we become.”
Built with Shorthand