18 Sep The Impact of Holding Space as a Mentor

A kind of magic happens when you’re a mentor. You’re not a magician – instead the magic comes from holding the space for your mentee to move towards the best version of themselves. Far too often we underestimate the real power of holding the space for other women to present their true selves; finding their own spark and passions for themselves and their communities. It’s this real magic that I believe I am contributing to Wedu and my Rising Star in their meaningful development.

Despite my years of experience as a coach and mentor, working with Wedu has deepened my belief in the impact a small group of women can have on the world. Rising Stars are influencers of their communities; believing in something larger, more significant than themselves. I feel myself growing as a mentor; shifting in my understanding of myself, success and what progress looks like in the real world. How are we approaching our young women’s ambitions? How are we best supporting their progress and setting them up for success? I keep these questions close as I work with my mentee and feel fully supported by Wedu’s vision.

My mentee teaches me something new, in each and every session. I am incredibly inspired by her commitment to her own development and her courage in realising her potential. What supports her growth is her honest reflection and her clear ambition about her future. She carries the real magic and I have full faith that she will be the change maker in her community; she is a change agent and an influencer. I am incredibly excited by what is in store for her. I look forward to supporting her, and, holding her space for her to have her own kind of magic in her future.

Carla Watson was selected by Wedu in March 2018. She is the certified coach, teacher and employed as the Program Officer at the Jakes Gerwel Fellowship in Cape Town, South Africa; carrying a shared focus on entrepreneurship and education. Get in touch with her via Linkedin

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