Why a reverse mentorship program empowers Gen Z to boost your business’s sustainability efforts

According to a survey conducted by KPMG in the UK in late 2022, one in three respondents aged 18-24 have turned down a job because they disapproved of the employer’s ESG commitments.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise. As my colleague Jessica Wang wrote in her guidance for organisations employing Gen Z, people entering the workforce are dedicated to righting the world’s wrongs. Deloitte’s 2023 Gen Z and Millennial Survey found that half of Gen Z respondents are applying pressure on their employers to tackle this.

If you’re not addressing this in your organisation, you’re falling behind. So, what’s the solution?

One innovative option could be reverse mentorship. In this blog, I’ll be looking at what reverse mentoring is, the benefits it can bring your business, and advice on how to get sustainability on the agenda.

Reverse mentorship and Gen Z: key insights

• Gen Z are passionate about sustainability and will make career decisions based on this.
• The Learning Mindset Report by Hays reveals both the popularity and effectiveness of mentorship schemes.
• There are benefits to junior members of the workforce teaching and influencing senior figures, including employee satisfaction and engagement.
• Meanwhile, senior workers are able to gain valuable insight into new trends and tools, and how they can be used effectively to shape the workplace

What is reverse mentorship?

A reverse mentorship program involves junior (often younger) employees sharing their knowledge with senior colleagues. This stems from the notion that, while experienced workers have lots to teach their juniors, they too have gaps in their knowledge, in particular around modern trends and skills.

While those in Gen Z are new to the workplace, the knowledge, skills and expertise they’ve developed so far can be shared with more established colleagues. Given that 77 per cent of Gen Z support environmental literacy being taught in schools, it’s clear that education on green issues is important to them.

What are the benefits of reverse mentorship?

A reverse mentorship scheme can boost employee engagement by making the workforce feel more valued. This is particularly for younger employees who may feel that their voice is not being heard with regard to sustainability – indeed, only 15 per cent of Gen Z respondents in Deloitte’s survey felt able to influence their employer’s sustainability programs.

Given that it can be difficult to nurture relationships between different generations in the workplace, a reverse mentorship program can also be an effective method of strengthening communication and collaboration. It boosts the confidence of all involved, leading to further employee satisfaction. The reverse mentor can take pride in the fact that they have something to offer to your business, and that their passion for sustainability is relevant and important. It presents them with the opportunity to quickly gain knowledge of the company while building a senior network outside of their reporting line. Simultaneously, the mentee will be presented with the opportunity to implement new approaches and take action, perhaps even becoming a sustainability ambassador themselves.

There’s proof of its success, too. As Hays uncovered in our Learning Mindset Report, 76 per cent of employers and 66 per cent of employees were happy with the impact of the mentorship scheme at their organisation. Other businesses have also shared their success stories of bringing the entire workforce up to date.

How can you implement reverse mentorship?

Reverse mentorship programs are comprised of:

• A mentee – a senior person who can impact the business culture (typically Director, General Manager, Head of level). This is someone looking to broaden their understanding of sustainability and who wants to be part of leading change in the sector.
• A reverse mentor who would benefit from the opportunity to grow an external network and support a mentee to broaden their knowledge and understanding of sustainability. This is someone with ambition, who ultimately wants to be part of leading change in the sector.

It’s important that both parties approach it in the right way. Some more experienced employees may feel patronised by the idea of being advised or instructed by their Gen Z colleagues. At the same time, those new to the world of work might face challenges in building relationships.

How can you facilitate a positive attitude from everyone? Decide what you want to get out of your reverse mentorship program and set clear objectives – these should align with your company’s sustainability goals. Outline whether this will be an ongoing collaboration or a short-term plan, and whether you’re going to do a small trial or roll this out widely.

Identify your mentors and mentees. Do you have the right Gen Z workforce who are equipped with green skills? Or do they themselves need more training on the subject (something they are likely to be receptive to)?

Lastly, communicate this clearly to those who have expressed an interest in learning more about sustainability, or those in the business who you think require this knowledge. Make it clear why you are running the scheme and what your goals will be, the timeframe for the programme as well as why you have selected your mentors. Once the scheme is underway, provide opportunities for feedback, and keep adjusting and improving as you go along.

Reverse mentorship and Gen Z: next steps

Whilst reverse mentoring presents a major cultural shift, the benefits are clear. It boosts employee engagement, improves your workforce’s skillset and reduces attrition rates in the process. By leveraging the knowledge and passion of your Gen Z workers, you can bring your senior staff into the modern world and take greater strides in your sustainability journey.

Think about whether such a program is right for your organisation, and follow the steps listed above to get started. With the right direction, you’ll be looking at a better informed, more confident workforce!