Mentorship Is a Two-Way Street – Are You On It?

When most of us hear the word mentorship, we picture something pretty traditional:
A senior leader with decades of experience, offering wisdom and guidance to someone just starting out. The mentor gives. The mentee receives.

And while that image is well-intentioned, it’s also outdated.

Because true mentorship is not a one-way transfer of knowledge.
It’s a two-way relationship.

When mentorship flows only in one direction, it loses its power.

Why One-Way Mentorship Fails

• It Overburdens Women

In male-dominated industries, women are frequently asked to mentor—again and again.
Why? Because representation is so low that the same women are tapped repeatedly to guide others.

It’s invisible labor.
It’s time-consuming.
And too often, it’s unrecognized in performance reviews or promotion decisions.

The result? Women are praised for being “great mentors” while watching their own careers stall.

• It Creates a Passive Role for Mentees

When mentorship is framed as receiving advice, mentees can become passive. They wait for answers instead of actively contributing.

This dynamic can reinforce hierarchy instead of partnership.
The mentee doesn’t get to show their strengths.
The mentor doesn’t get to learn from a fresh perspective.

And both sides miss the richness of collaboration.

• It Stops Short of Advocacy

Too many “mentorship” relationships are built on coffee chats, friendly advice, or generic encouragement.

And while those things can be helpful, they don’t change careers.

What women really need isn’t just guidance.
They need advocacy.
They need someone who says their name in a room they aren’t in.
Who recommends them for the stretch project.
Who makes sure their work is recognized.

That leap—from advice to advocacy—is where mentorship becomes transformational.

What True Two-Way Mentorship Looks Like

Mutual Value

In a healthy mentorship, both people are growing.

• The mentor shares wisdom, experience, and perspective.

• The mentee brings fresh thinking, new skills, and real-time insights about what’s happening on the ground.

When both sides stay open, mentorship evolves into a cycle of mutual value.

Vulnerability

Strong mentorship isn’t about the mentor having all the answers.
It’s about modeling curiosity and humility.

Some of the most powerful moments come when a mentor says:
“I don’t know. Let’s figure it out together.”

That level of honesty creates trust. It makes space for a real relationship instead of a scripted one.

Advocacy

Mentorship should never stop at advice.
It must lead to action.

True mentors elevate their mentees by:

• Recommending them for opportunities

• Sharing visibility, not just wisdom

• Making space at the table—and insisting that seat is filled

And mentees can advocate, too. They can spotlight their mentor’s impact, bring their skills to shared projects, or use their networks to connect the mentor in new ways.

A Shift in Mindset

Think back on the mentorships you’ve been part of.

• Were they truly reciprocal?

• Did they grow both people?

• Or did they feel one-sided—either you were giving without getting, or taking without contributing?

The best mentorships don’t feel like obligations.
They feel like partnerships.

They’re relationships that challenge both people, fuel confidence, and ripple outward into entire organizations.

Mentorship isn’t about hierarchy. It’s about elevation.
And like every strong flight path, it flows in both directions.

Reflection for You

Ask yourself:

• If I’m a mentor: Am I also learning and growing from this relationship?

• If I’m a mentee: Am I bringing value back to my mentor—or just taking advice?

• Have I moved this relationship from advice into advocacy?

Because mentorship that stays one-sided may feel good in the moment. But mentorship that’s truly two-way? That’s what transforms careers—and cultures.

If your mentorships have felt one-sided—or if you’re ready to move from advice to advocacy—it’s time to reset.

Download your free guide:
Breaking the Cycle: 7 Hidden Signs It’s Time to Level Up—and Lead

Or let’s talk about how to build relationships that actually elevate you.
Schedule a call with me today and we’ll map out your path to leadership.

Beyond the cockpit. Beyond the hierarchy. Beyond the flight deck.
Mentorship isn’t a transaction. It’s transformation.
But only if it’s a two-way street.

Until next week,
Dana