Stepping into this role has been an enriching experience, offering new insights into leadership and continuous learning.
As a mentor, I’ve discovered that leadership is rooted in empathy, active listening, and collaboration. I’ve grown not only by guiding my mentee but also by learning from their fresh perspectives. This experience has reaffirmed that mentorship is a two-way journey where both mentor and mentee evolve together.
Mentorship has also deepened my appreciation for giving back. Supporting others as I was once supported has strengthened my belief in the power of community and shared growth. It’s a cycle that fosters resilience, confidence, and connection. A Confucius(opens in a new window) phrase that guides me is “if you want to establish yourself, establish others, if you want to advance yourself, help others advance” ( Analects 6:30), this is also embedded in the Asian culture .
I am grateful to the Women in Transport program for this opportunity and encourage others to embrace mentorship. Whether as a mentee or mentor, the journey offers invaluable rewards, both personally and professionally.
Kate He, Department of Transport and Planning – 2023 Mentee and 2024 Mentor.
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