The Power of Connection: Keneiloe Moabelo on Mentorship as a Two-Way Journey

"It's important because it brings people together to share experiences and learn from each other and grow together."

That's how Keneiloe Moabelo sums up what mentorship means to her. As both a mentor and mentee in the Women In Tech program, this Senior Manager for Outsourced Services in Johannesburg, South Africa, embodies the principle that the best leaders never stop learning—and that true growth happens when we share experiences and learn from each other.

Leading Through Service

Keneiloe's approach to mentorship is deeply rooted in servant leadership principles. Her recommended resource, "Leaders Eat Last" by Simon Sinek, reflects her core philosophy: prioritizing team needs above your own and fostering a culture of mutual support and cooperation.

"It's around the core principles of Servant Leadership - prioritising teams needs above your own and fostering a culture of mutual support and cooperation."

The book's concepts of creating a Circle of Safety—"an environment of trust as well as Empathy and Trust"—guide how she shows up for both her mentees and her own mentor.

The Rewards of Watching Others Grow

What inspired Keneiloe to become a mentor was straightforward: "I wanted to contribute to developing others, sharing my experience and forming long-lasting relationships with other ladies."

But what keeps her engaged goes deeper:

"What is more rewarding is witnessing the mentee learn and overcome challenges and gaining new perspectives and insights from the mentees."

This highlights mentorship's reciprocal nature. Her impact is tangible. One of her mentees, who was also her junior, "grew into a leadership position." Another mentee "pursued academic qualification very late in her career and now has an IT qualification." These aren't just career milestones—they're transformations that ripple outward, affecting teams, families, and future mentees.

Growth Through Giving

Keneiloe is candid about how mentoring has transformed her own capabilities. Personally, "it helped me to enhance my empathy and listening skills to understand other people's perspectives and challenges." It also increased her self-reflection, helping her "understand my own strength, experiences and areas of growth."

Professionally, the impact has been equally significant:

"It helped to grow my leadership skills and to grow my team to be able to mentor my team for high performance. It also reinforces my own experience and grows my understanding."

This dual growth—becoming both more empathetic and more effective—demonstrates how mentorship develops the whole leader, not just their technical capabilities.

The Mentee Side: Finding Support Through Difficult Times

Despite her seniority and experience, Keneiloe actively sought out her own mentor for "career development, gaining insights for career growth." Her openness to being mentored while mentoring others reflects a mature understanding that growth is continuous, regardless of title or tenure.

Her mentorship relationship provided what she needed most:

"I establish long lasting relationship and friendship. She gave me new perspective and new ways of thinking - fresh insights."

But perhaps the most meaningful support came during a personal crisis:

"Personally [my mentor] help me through a difficult time of grief and was a good listener with no judgement. She helped me to overcome an obstacle that I had and helped me to be open to different approaches."

Her mentor also provided guidance on her doctoral studies in Business Leadership. This experience as a mentee directly informs how she mentors others—understanding that professional growth and personal support are inseparable, and that sometimes the most important thing a mentor can do is simply listen without judgment.

Wisdom for Aspiring Mentors

Keneiloe's advice for first-time mentors is both practical and philosophical:

Start with the right mindset: "Need to start with openness and curiosity and willingness to learn alongside the mentee."
Guide, don't direct: "Focus on guidance not direction."
Listen deeply: "Listen actively to understand and no judgement."
Commit to consistency: "You need to establish regular check-in to establish and grow the relationship."

These principles reflect her servant leadership philosophy—creating that Circle of Safety where mentees can explore, question, and grow.

For Those Seeking Mentorship

To potential mentees, Keneiloe emphasizes intentionality and openness:

"Need to approach the relationship with the willingness to learn and willingness to explore new perspectives. Think about what you want to achieve from the mentorship."

This clarity of purpose, combined with genuine openness to new perspectives, creates the foundation for transformational relationships.

Why Mentorship Matters

When asked why mentorship is important, Keneiloe's answer captures its essence simply:

"It's important because it brings people together to share experiences and learn from each other and grow together."

In a field as complex and rapidly evolving as technology, this shared learning and mutual growth isn't just nice to have—it's essential. Keneiloe's dual role as both mentor and mentee demonstrates that the most effective leaders understand this truth: we grow best when we grow together.

Currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Leadership focused on Project Management Competencies, Keneiloe continues to embody her belief in continuous learning. She manages IT supplier performance while developing the next generation of leaders, never forgetting that she too is still learning, still growing, still connecting.

Her journey reminds us that mentorship isn't a hierarchy—it's a web of connections, each relationship offering opportunities for mutual growth, fresh perspectives, and lasting friendships. As Keneiloe proves, you can be both teacher and student, leader and learner, mentor and mentee—and be better for all of it.

Inspired by Keneiloe's journey?

Whether you're ready to share your experience as a mentor or seeking guidance as a mentee, the Women In Tech mentorship program creates connections that transform careers and lives.

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