The Power of Reverse Mentoring

Idea in Brief

Rachael O’Connor discusses how leaders can create meaningful change by sharing their power and listening to under-represented voices within organisations. Drawing on her research in higher education and the legal profession at the University of Leeds, she highlights the importance of reverse mentoring, where leaders learn from those with less formal power. This approach can help build authentic relationships, encourage inclusivity, and create “lightbulb moments” that lead to positive organisational change.