Lessons from my Mentee

In 2020, I was shortlisted by Shortlist Professionals as one of 29 experts to mentor 15 small businesses in Kenya. Out of the applicants, Angela W. , the founder of SisterSpeaks Global & Heels4Pads Foundation chose to work with me. We clicked right away. From the very beginning, we both knew what we wanted to get out of this experience which was  a comms strategy for her business but our partnership went way beyond that.

This experience got me thinking: what makes a mentor-mentee relationship truly successful? Shortlist Professionals laid a solid foundation with their selection process which really made my experience with Angela stand out. 

Here’s why: 

Open and Honest Communication: There have been incidents where we have had to have tough conversations - like this one time we had varying views on an online post she had published & I wasn't sure about the message. In another incident she called me out for downplaying my own achievements and even shared some self-affirmations to remind me of my worth.  

Angela and I are both big on honesty, sometimes brutally so and these incidents gave us an opportunity to have candid conversations about how to frame things better.

With mentor/mentee relationships, the conversations are not always one sided because they are rooted in bettering each other. That's what this is all about, right? Being open to feedback and learning from each other, no matter who's giving it.

Flexibility and Adaptability: The pandemic was a tough time that tested our partnership. Life threw some curveballs our way, but Angela and I just rolled with it. We adjusted our strategy as things changed, but never lost sight of our goals. We managed to remain flexible and adaptable, while still holding each other accountable.

Mutual Respect: Mentorship takes commitment—both of time and to each other. We consistently showed up for our meetings and followed through on our promises. By valuing each other's time and expertise, we created a safe space for open discussion and learning.

Beyond One-Way Learning: Angela absolutely became my teacher too. 

She showed me how she connects with her audience, especially during the pandemic and even provided me with fresh perspectives on hosting events during the lockdown. I was gently rebuked whenever I didn’t take advantage of opportunities that came my way or belittled my own achievements. 

In Luo there’s a proverb that says “fulu nyalo puonjo ngege” meaning the small tilapia can teach the big tilapia and Angela’s lessons still hold water till date. 

Chemistry and Connection: Sometimes, a successful match depends on a certain intangible chemistry or connection. In French they call it “ je ne sais quoi”.

We were both lucky that we connected from our first meeting and felt comfortable and motivated to engage with each other. This made it easier to accept each other's perspectives and even feedback.

Like a perfectly brewed masala cup of tea, a mentor/ mentee relationship can be a beautiful blend that delights both parties. Their fresh ideas and enthusiasm will challenge your assumptions and help you embrace fresh perspectives and most of all, teach you an invaluable lesson always. 

May you both grow and learn from each other – whether you’re a mentor or a mentee! I celebrate you both! Thank you Angela W. , who continues to teach me daily!