Changing Perspectives Through Reverse Mentoring

Since 2020, Curtins’ Reverse Mentoring has been joining the dots in our business facilitate the flow of information, ideas and feedback from our junior staff to their mentees in senior positions, and this year two members of our team in Kendal have embarked on the programme.

On one end of the Reverse Mentoring pathway, Business Unit Director, Andy Roberts has been guided by the suggestions of his mentor, Kelton Ewing (Civil and Structural Engineer in Edinburgh) on how we can further develop our project delivery processes.

On the other end, Suzanne Johnsen has been mentoring Rhiannon Carss, Communications Director based in Liverpool. You can read more about their journey from Rhiannon’s perspective in her kick-off blog here.

Curtins initially piloted the scheme in collaboration with the Association for Consulting and Engineering (ACE). Since 2020, it has continued to provide hugely positive outcomes for our business and the individuals involved.

Suzanne comments, “the programme helps ensure that the direction of our company remains relevant, with a continuous feedback cycle between experience levels and generations.”

She adds, “what makes this mentoring programme different from traditional structures is that the junior person becomes the leading mentor. Within themes, the outcomes of the conversations between pairs are dependent on the interests of the individuals, but the common thread is a discussion that changes perspectives and challenges the status quo of how we do things at Curtins.

“The programme removes the barriers of hierarchy from the conversation and drives the implementation if new ideas through senior involvement. This gives the younger generation a voice and empowers them and to work with their mentee to impact positive change.”

The programme is delivered over 7 months and this year, will be repeated to accommodate the highest intake of applications to the scheme to date.