From Mentee to Mentor: My Leadership Journey and the Power of Paying It Forward, by Marcia Weekes-Spears

Leadership isn’t a straight road. It’s a winding path, full of twists, turns, and the occasional pothole. But if there’s one thing that’s shaped my journey more than anything else, it’s the people who believed in me before I fully believed in myself. When I started my career, there were no formally recognised mentors—no structured programmes or networks designed to support emerging leaders. But what I did have were sponsors and advocates in some of the roles I worked in. These individuals empowered me to make mistakes, take risks, and trusted in my abilities even when I was still finding my feet. Their belief in me gave me the confidence to step up, to push myself beyond the limits I had unconsciously set, and to navigate the complexities of leadership.

Learning the Ropes

Looking back, I can pinpoint moments where someone’s guidance changed the course of my career. Not by handing me a roadmap, but by giving me the confidence to navigate my own way. The best sponsors didn’t spoon-feed me solutions—they asked the right questions, broadened my horizons, and pushed me to find my own answers.

But in those early years, structured mentoring programmes simply didn’t exist in the way they do today. You had to figure things out yourself, often through trial and error. While that built resilience, it also meant many people missed out on opportunities to reach their full potential.

How things have changed. Today, formal mentoring programmes are recognised as critical to professional and personal growth. Organisations like Future Leaders exist to provide structured, accessible support, ensuring that emerging talent isn’t left to navigate their journey alone. This kind of supplementary guidance alongside workplace leaders is crucial for nurturing and supporting growth. We now have the opportunity to make a real difference, to ensure that those stepping into their careers aren’t left to find their way by chance but are supported with intention and purpose. By becoming a mentor, you can be the person who helps someone recognise their own potential before they even see it themselves.

Mentoring as a Leadership Mindset

For me, mentoring isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a core part of being a leader. It’s about spotting potential, unlocking confidence, and making sure experience and wisdom aren’t just kept in a box labelled ‘the past’, but used to help shape the future.

And here’s the thing—mentoring is a two-way street. Some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned haven’t come from boardrooms or strategy meetings, but from conversations with mentees. Their fresh perspectives challenge my thinking, remind me to stay curious, and reinforce the fact that leadership is as much about listening as it is about guiding.

Mentoring also creates a ripple effect. When you mentor someone, you’re not just impacting one person—you’re contributing to a wider ecosystem of growth and development. That individual will go on to inspire and support others, and so the cycle continues.

Why Future Leaders?

This is exactly why getting involved with Future Leaders was a no-brainer for me. Helping the next generation step into their power isn’t just something I’m passionate about—it’s something I feel responsible for. The world of work is changing fast, and the leaders of tomorrow need resilience, adaptability, and, most importantly, a strong sense of self. If I can play a small part in helping someone find their confidence and voice, then that’s time well spent.

Future Leaders aligns perfectly with my belief that leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about impact. It’s about making sure we don’t just build successful businesses but nurture thriving individuals who can drive real change.

Why This Matters

In today's world, where careers are no longer predictable and workplaces demand more human-centred leadership, mentoring isn't just important—it’s essential. It's how we ensure that experience, knowledge, and opportunity are shared, not hoarded.

For me, mentoring is about paying it forward. It’s my way of honouring the people who invested in me and ensuring the next generation gets the same kind of support. Because true leadership isn’t about personal success—it’s about who you empower along the way.

So, I have a question for you—who helped you on your journey? Who gave you that nudge, that challenge, that moment of belief? And now, ask yourself: who are you doing that for today?

It's time to give back.

If you've ever benefitted from a mentor, if you've had someone who saw your potential and helped you realise it, then now is your moment to do the same for someone else. The next generation of leaders is forming right now, and they need the guidance, encouragement, and support that only those who have walked the path before them can offer.

So, are you ready to step up? To share your wisdom, your insights, and your lessons with someone who's just starting out? Because mentorship isn't just about shaping individuals—it's about shaping the future.

Let's keep the cycle going.