In the dynamic and interconnected world of global public relations, the importance of mentoring cannot be overstated. Mentoring provides guidance, knowledge transfer, and professional development, enabling individuals to navigate the complexities of the field. This is especially crucial in an international context in which diverse regulations, cultural norms, and communication styles come into play. The International Public Relations Association (IPRA) and its members have an opportunity and the responsibility to engage intentionally in mentoring that highlights the value of cross-cultural exchanges and lifelong learning.

Mentoring across cultures

Cross-cultural mentoring relationships certainly have increased importance in today's globalized environment. Mentors and protégés from distinct cultures can learn much from one another’s perspectives, communication styles, and varied approaches to problem-solving. Of course, there are many challenges (and benefits) to cross-cultural mentoring, such as navigating cultural differences, building trust, and developing cultural intelligence. But when undertaken with the right level of commitment and openness, cross-cultural mentoring relationships can thrive and both parties will experience profound personal and professional growth.

Mentoring for global careers

The importance of mentoring for those pursuing global careers in public relations and other professional communications occupations is more important than ever. Mentors with international experience can offer valuable guidance on navigating unfamiliar cultural contexts, building relationships with stakeholders across borders, and adapting communication strategies to different markets. Among the skills and competencies that are essential for success in global communications roles are cultural awareness, language proficiency, and, in some countries, the ability to navigate complex regulatory environments. IPRA members should challenge themselves to seek out colleagues who have worked in different countries or regions, because their experiences and insights can be invaluable for those communications pros who are aspiring to work in an international setting.

Reverse mentoring

One of the greatest benefits of these relationships is reverse mentoring, in which junior professionals or those from other cultural backgrounds also mentor more experienced professionals. This can be particularly valuable in the context of digital communications, social media, and other emerging technologies, in which younger professionals may have more expertise. By working together, both the mentor and the protégé can achieve intergenerational understanding, promote diversity and inclusion, and encourage continuous learning.

Dean Kruckeberg, Ph.D., APR, Fellow PRSA, on Mentoring

Dean Kruckeberg, Ph.D., APR, Fellow PRSA, is a Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, USA. He is a noted public relations educator, who collaborates frequently with international scholars, most often with a Ukrainian scholar who is at the University of Oklahoma, a Croatian scholar at Monmouth University and an Italian scholar who is at the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland. Dr. Kruckeberg has also mentored many students throughout the world and is the recipient of many awards including the PRSA Gold Anvil.

Kruckeberg has observed that both formal and informal mentoring have developed increased importance overseas in recent years, especially where IPRA membership is strongest – Western Europe and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and in the Middle East. Kruckeberg said that global public relations educators and practitioners must challenge the status quo, including in mentoring, recognizing that:

• Cultural – each culture has something to offer.
• Historical – each history must be considered.
• Ideological – each ideology must be reconciled.

Kruckeberg believes that a lifelong commitment is required to be an effective mentor. The mentor can offer wisdom and advice to protégés that the mentor has gained through years of experience working in the profession. In most cases, the protégé will be a younger person, who usually knows technology and popular culture better. This dynamic creates a reciprocal relationship, which provides additional benefits to both mentors and their protégés.

As Kruckeberg said, “I always strive to learn from the other person – you can always learn things from the protégé just as you can teach that person what you know about PR and communications.”

Because values and moral tastes vary widely from country to country, Kruckeberg noted that cultural awareness should always be considered in a mentoring relationship with colleagues from other countries.

Lea-Ann O’Hare Germinder, APR, Fellow PRSA on Mentoring

Lea-Ann O’Hare Germinder, APR, Fellow PRSA, is President & Founder of Germinder + Associates, Inc., with offices in New York and Kansas City. Germinder is both an innovator in digital communications and a veteran communicator in traditional and crisis communications. She is presently pursuing her doctoral degree in strategic communications with an emphasis on AI & public relations at the University of Missouri. She has won several awards for mentoring in her career, including from the PRSA-NY chapter.

Germinder says three unique challenges or considerations have arisen in mentoring people from different countries or cultural backgrounds over the years:

1. First is acknowledging and accepting the nuances of different languages if you and your protégé don’t speak the same native language. We all tend to speak in jargon and in colloquialisms, so it is important to speak plainly and slowly and to acknowledge this difference upfront. Encourage your protégé to seek clarification if something is not understood and, in turn, ask for clarification of something you don’t understand.

2. Second is the power dynamic of protégé and mentor in different countries. Age and experience should not be a barrier, but sometimes they are. You may need to encourage your protégé to speak more openly and informally. This may not happen immediately but can develop over time.

3. Third is learning what are the protégé’s expectations. What does the protégé want from the relationship? Is the protégé looking for a job in your country? That choice will impact how much time the protégé wants to spend learning about your culture and customs and on job opportunities versus a focus solely on public relations. Or, you might have a protégé who is living in another country, but whom you are able to mentor despite the distance from one another.

Germinder believes mentoring students and professionals from other countries is a wonderful way to gain insights into diverse cultures and communication styles outside of regular business connections. But you must be open to listening and to engaging on their terms. Sometimes today’s global rhetoric can complicate the relationship, so you must talk openly and listen carefully.

Germinder noted that the skillset needed to mentor others in the global community is the same that you would employ in any successful mentor/mentee relationship:

1. Set expectations for each other upfront
2. Be open-minded
3. Maintain mutual respect
4. Listen and adapt
5. Have empathy for the protégé’s situation

If you are in a one-to-one mentoring relationship, you can talk about these issues to gain the necessary understanding and perspective.

Previous IPRA thought leadership essays on mentoring

In previous thought leadership essays, others in the IPRA global community have examined mentoring. My friend, Ken Jacobs, offered a baker’s dozen of lessons about mentoring, including some important ground rules. Kate Dobrucki offered her perspective on the power of mentorship among women in communications, writing that it’s time for women to detox from being overly apologetic and to celebrate their own remarkable talents. Juan-Carlos Molleda, a well-respected voice from the university setting, shared how upcoming generations of public relations professionals must cultivate strong and clear voices through academic-industry partnerships to ensure the development of the future of the public relations profession.

The power of being a mentor

If you’re a veteran communications professional, why should you consider becoming a mentor to others? The benefits are certainly compelling.

• Sharpen your leadership skills: Guiding someone else's career journey hones your communication skills, encourages empathy, and strengthens your ability to provide constructive feedback, making you a more effective leader in all aspects of your professional life.

• Stay relevant: By engaging with fresh perspectives and emerging trends through your protégé’s experiences, you ensure that your own skill set remains razor-sharp and adaptable to an ever-changing communications landscape.

• Give back and pay it forward: Have you ever thrown a rock into the water and watched those circles expand? Sharing your knowledge and experience as a mentor creates that same ripple effect, strengthening the communications profession as a whole and ensuring its future success.

• Expand your network: Connecting with protégés from diverse backgrounds and different generations broadens your professional circle, opening doors to unexpected opportunities and collaborations.

The journey of having a mentor

If you’re early in your communications career, why should you seek out a mentor? Well, the benefits are compelling for you, too.

• Fast-track your career: Collaborating with a mentor, you can gain valuable insights, learn to navigate workplace dynamics with expert guidance, and develop your skill set at an accelerated pace, which can propel you forward along your chosen path.

• Boost your confidence: Feedback and encouragement from a trusted mentor can work wonders for your self-confidence and can empower you to tackle new challenges and to seek out different opportunities.

• Break free of the "workplace cocoon": You can gain access to industry knowledge and connections beyond your daily work bubble, opening doors to future possibilities and exposing you to fresh perspectives.

• Develop effective communication skills: Learn from real-world examples and sharpen your ability to articulate your ideas effectively, becoming a more impactful communicator across all channels.

Embrace the power of mentoring

Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of witnessing the transformational power of mentorship. From guiding eager college students as they take their first steps into our world, to helping emerging professionals navigate the complexities of our field, to providing wisdom and guidance to workplace colleagues, it has been an incredible journey.

Mentorship is a two-way street. While we guide and inspire others, we, too, learn and grow from the experiences and perspectives of those whom we mentor. It is in these relationships that we find the true essence of our profession – a community of individuals committed to mutual support, shared knowledge, and continuous improvement.

Mentoring for a lifetime

Mentoring is a powerful tool for career growth, both for mentors and their protégés. By taking the initiative, being clear about your goals, and actively engaging in the learning process, mentors can forge a relationship that propels mentors and their protégés forward in their communications journey. The connections that mentors build today can pave the way for a fulfilling and successful career in the ever-evolving world of communications.

Conclusion

International mentoring opportunities and cross-cultural mentoring relationships are invaluable for the growth and development of public relations and communications professionals. By sharing knowledge, navigating global complexities, and fostering cultural competence, these initiatives help PR practitioners and other communications pros to excel in a globalized world. IPRA and its members should be committed to mentoring, which demonstrates its pivotal role in shaping the future of public relations, one relationship at a time. For PR professionals seeking to thrive internationally, engaging in or establishing mentoring relationships is not just beneficial, but essential.