Mid-career women struggle without mentors

Study says empathy-based leadership helps women rise in their careers

TA mentor-mentee relationship usually brings to mind the image of a fresher working with an older colleague or a supervisor, who acts as a guide to get them started on their career path. By the time a person reaches middle management, however, they're expected to work independently and have it all figured out'.

Research, however, shows that people need mentoring throughout their career, whether in a formal or an informal way. For women in particular, getting past that mid-career hump to occupy leadership positions can be a challenge without the right mentors. In a new study, 'Comparing barriers and enablers of women's health leadership in India with East Africa and North America', published in The Lancet in June, the authors observed that mentorship, having access to professional networks, team building and a leadership approach that was based in empathy, helped women rise in their careers to become leaders in the health sector.