Empowering a new generation of female leaders through mentoring
Norway has been a leading ski nation for decades. But, much like the energy industry, there is still some way to go when it comes to female representation in leadership. In response to this challenge Equinor has collaborated with the Norwegian Ski Association to create the Female Ski Leaders of Tomorrow programme.
The programme aims to improve gender balance in Norwegian snow sports through openness and experience sharing. For three years, twenty future leaders take part in exciting initiatives, including being mentored by inspiring leaders from the sports and business world.
Andrea Bell Pedersen is a programme participant and has been mentored by Kristin Kloster Aasen, vice president of the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports between 2011 and 2019 and a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 2017. We asked Andrea and Kristin to share their thoughts on why mentorship is an essential part of empowering the next generation of female leaders.
Andrea: the mentee
As a programme participant, Andrea recognizes the importance of solid role models and guidance. "The most valuable part of the program has been the collaboration with my mentor, Kristin. She has supported me but also challenged me along the way. We discuss and share a lot, and there is a proactive interaction: she always picks up the phone when I ring and is always there for me when I need a chat. I often just need her to confirm that I am making choices that are the best for me.
"We all, who are young, have something to offer – regardless of gender. When we get a seat at the table, we must be able to own our roles and 'walk the talk' for those who come behind us. This is a great responsibility."
Andrea Bell Pedersen
Andrea also has some reflections about the future. If she were a mentor, she would advise people to be curious and proactive: "we all have something to offer – regardless of gender. When we get a seat at the table, we must be able to own our roles and 'walk the talk' for those who come behind us. This is a great responsibility.".
Finally, she shares her call for action: "do not be afraid to ask for advice! I find that most people take it as a compliment when asked to provide input. If possible, try to involve several mentors within different professions and with different skills. I learn a lot from that and let myself be inspired by other people I admire".
Kristin, the mentor
Despite her extensive and inspiring career in sports, Kristin has never been part of a formal mentoring programme. "But I have had many informal mentors, and I have had people who always supported and encouraged me.".
The opportunity to be a formal mentor has been exciting, says Kristin: "I hope it is valuable to have someone as a reliable sounding board. And the three-year length of this programme is brilliant; it enables us to properly connect and see what has been accomplished [over time].". For example, with Andrea, "it is great to see where she is now, compared to where she was in her last year of her bachelor's degree. Although very much the same positive energetic person, Andrea has developed and matured much over the last three years.”
For Kristin, a mentoring partnership is valuable for both mentees and mentors: "I learnt a lot from my fellow mentors and have seen how they approach the role. I also understand that mentors also need to be open, frank, and transparent with their mentees. Mentoring as a concept is new at least for me and many in my generation, so I believe it has developed the way I interact with others, too.".
Kristin had a fantastic career in the sports world. After such a fulfilling career, she recommends being a mentor: "Absolutely! I consider myself very lucky to be able to have a relationship like the one I have with Andrea, and I do feel it is a privilege being able to take part in someone else's development as I have with hers.".