Mentoring the Next Generation of Women in Business and Ministry

Many women in business and ministry can name someone who made a difference in their journey. A woman who answered questions, opened doors, prayed with them through hard seasons or simply believed in them when they doubted themselves. Many others wish they had someone like that.

If you have experience in business or ministry, you may be in a position to be that person for someone else.

Women encouraging women in Scripture

Scripture shows women guiding and encouraging one another across generations. Ruth and Naomi walked through grief and starting over together. When Mary learned she would bear Jesus, she went to visit her older relative Elizabeth, who welcomed and encouraged her (Luke 1:39-45). Paul encouraged older women to teach what is good and to encourage younger women (Titus 2:3-5).

Proverbs captures the value of these relationships: "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." (Proverbs 27:17, KJV). People grow sharper and stronger through honest, caring relationships.

What mentoring is and is not

Mentoring is a relationship in which someone with experience helps another person grow. It is related to, but different from:

• Coaching, which often focuses on specific goals and skills over a defined period.
• Counseling or therapy, which addresses emotional or mental health concerns and should be provided by a licensed professional.
• Friendship, which is mutual and unstructured, though mentoring relationships often grow into friendships.

A mentor shares experience, asks good questions, offers encouragement and perspective, and points the mentee toward resources and people who can help.

A simple mentoring structure

You do not need a formal program to mentor someone well. A simple structure helps both of you get the most from the relationship.

1. Clarify goals together

At the start, ask what the mentee hopes to gain. Growing a business? Developing as a leader? Navigating a career change? Balancing work and family? Write down two or three goals.

2. Agree on a rhythm

Decide how often you will meet, such as once a month, and for how long, such as six months or a year. Agreeing on a time frame makes it easier for both of you to commit and to end well.

3. Use a simple meeting format

A helpful structure for each meeting:

• Catch up: How are you doing, really?
• Celebrate: What has gone well since we last met?
• Explore: What challenge or question would you like to talk through?
• Next steps: What will you try before our next meeting?
• Pray: End by praying together, if you are both comfortable.

4. Listen more than you talk

Good mentors ask questions and listen carefully. Resist the urge to solve every problem. Often the most helpful thing is helping someone think clearly for themselves.

5. Share your story honestly

Share both successes and failures. Mentees often learn the most from hearing how you handled mistakes and hard seasons.

6. Open doors

Introduce your mentee to people, resources and opportunities that can help her grow. Your network can be one of your most valuable gifts.

How to ask for a mentor

If you are looking for a mentor, these steps help:

1. Identify women you admire in business, ministry or both.
2. Start small. Ask for a single conversation before asking for an ongoing commitment.
3. Be specific about what you hope to learn.
4. Respect her time. Come prepared and follow up with what you applied.
5. Be patient. Not everyone has capacity right now, and that is fine.

Stories that encourage

Hearing other women share their experiences can be its own kind of mentoring. The Chase & Embrace Show, hosted by Sharon, features interviews with women sharing personal and professional testimonies of faith, perseverance and transformation.

For more on building relationships that support wise decisions, see building a circle of wise counsel.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a lot of experience to mentor someone?

Not necessarily. If you are a few steps ahead of someone in an area, you can share what you have learned. Mentoring is about honest experience and care, not expertise in everything.

How long should a mentoring relationship last?

Many mentoring relationships work well with an initial commitment of six months to a year, followed by a decision to continue, change the rhythm or end with gratitude.

What if a mentee needs more help than I can give?

Recognize your limits and point her toward appropriate help, such as a licensed counselor, attorney, financial professional or pastor. Knowing when to refer is part of good mentoring.