Why mentorship is a core part of modern leadership

Mentorship is not just a professional perk; it is a fundamental pillar of modern leadership. In an era defined by rapid change and complex challenges, effective leaders understand their role extends far beyond directives and performance management. It means nurturing talent, cultivating potential, and creating a supportive ecosystem where individuals can thrive. My own journey illustrates this, demonstrating how both receiving and providing mentorship has shaped my leadership philosophy.

My path to becoming a mentor began as a mentee. Having opted out of university, I entered the professional world with a tenacious work ethic and an insatiable curiosity. While my early career offered growth, my transition to larger agencies like MEC (now Wavemaker) introduced me to transformative mentors. Carol Middleton and Anna Hickey, in particular, offered validation and encouragement, teaching me the power of leadership that champions and elevates, rather than just directs. This philosophy now guides how I lead my own teams. We call our London office the Havas Village, and I want our people to feel that name is true - that a village of people is always ready to offer support and advice when needed.

Management is not mentorship

It's crucial to distinguish mentorship from management. Management focuses on tasks, metrics, and organisational goals. Mentorship is different. It’s a voluntary partnership built on trust and a shared commitment to personal development. This relationship requires time and patience, delving into aspirations and challenges in a way management structures rarely allow. Modern leaders know this deeper investment in people fuels loyalty, innovation and resilience far more than simple oversight can.

My inclusion in Campaign’s 30 Under 30 list in 2010 was a milestone that led others to seek my counsel. These initial conversations evolved into formal mentoring relationships, ranging from impactful one-off chats to regular sessions lasting years. This evolution from mentee to mentor reflects a key leadership shift: from being an authority figure to a facilitator of growth.

Recognising its transformative power, Havas has supported my ambition to mentor across the business. I've been an executive sponsor for the Women of Havas community and contributed to Femmes Forward, an initiative offering career development for future female leaders. These programs provide a mix of leadership workshops, community-building, and personal ‘advancement plans’, and I've been privileged to contribute alongside other senior leaders.

Finding a voice through curiosity

From my perspective as both a mentee and a mentor, two qualities stand out as essential to modern leadership: finding your voice and cultivating curiosity.

The first is authenticity. Mentorship gives people the confidence to stop trying to emulate others and instead become comfortable in their own way of thinking, communicating and leading. When you are trying to sound like somebody else, it rarely feels natural. But when people understand who they are and what they stand for, a sense of calm and confidence starts to come through.

I have always tried to be open about my own experiences and challenges because leadership today is not about pretending to have all the answers. Especially in a working world being reshaped by AI, the people who will make the biggest impact are those who remain approachable, honest and willing to invest in others.

The second is curiosity. The instinct to keep asking what, why and how has never been more valuable. Technical skills will continue to evolve alongside AI and automation, but curiosity is what allows people to adapt, learn and grow alongside that change rather than be overwhelmed by it.

At Havas Media Network, we have invested heavily in helping people build confidence with AI tools, including training around how to ask better questions and write stronger prompts. What has stood out is how quickly confidence grows once people feel they understand the technology rather than fear it. Mentorship plays an important role in that process too, creating space for people to experiment, ask questions and develop without feeling judged.

That curiosity should extend beyond day-to-day tasks too. Put yourself forward for opportunities, attend events, build relationships and ask questions. The people who progress are often the ones who show genuine interest and initiative long before they feel fully ready.

Ultimately, modern leadership is about cultivating environments where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to grow. Mentorship is the engine of this transformation, creating a virtuous cycle where today's leaders lift the next generation. This inspires mentees to “pay it forward,” fostering a self-sustaining ecosystem of support and development.

In essence, mentorship ensures that today’s leaders are not just managing outputs but actively shaping the human potential that will define the future.

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