Empleo Founder Mariella Baldacchino dubs mentorship as a ‘win-win strategy’ for businesses

Empleo Founder Mariella Baldacchino on Thursday shared that workplace mentoring in today’s dynamic business world is beneficial for both companies and employees.

Dr Baldacchino has more than 15 years of experience in the legal sector, having led the legal departments of a number of corporate services firms handling commercial law, corporate law, and tax law matters. In 2022, she established Empleo, a legal practice that is focused on workplace law matters. She holds a Doctor of Laws from University of Malta and a master’s degree in European Private Law from La Sapienza, University of Rome.

“In the ever-evolving world of the workplace, good mentorship can support staff and boost their confidence by sharing knowledge and experience, inspire innovation and navigate challenges,” she explained.

She highlighted that mentorship can act as a “game-changer” for both business leaders and employees, as it can elevate one’s career and steer an organisation towards success.

Dr Baldacchino noted that workplace mentoring can take multiple forms, including informal interactions and structured one-on-one meetings.

She explained that on some occasions, mentorship can occur naturally through everyday interactions, as “spontaneous discussions over lunch, drinks, around the coffee machine, chat in the car park or in the hallway can lead to groundbreaking ideas and solutions”. She emphasised that the power of casual mentorship moments should not be underestimated.

On the other hand, structured meetings and formal mentorship programmes can provide “dedicated time for guidance and skill development”. “These sessions empower staff to set goals, seek advice, and receive constructive feedback,” Dr Baldacchino remarked.

“In the dynamic world of business, mentorship is a win-win strategy. Businesses that foster mentorship culture reap the benefits of a skilled and engaged workforce, while employees who embrace mentorship unlock their full potential,” she added.

She also made reference to an article by The Economist which looked into how businesses can create the best mentoring programmes, pointing out the importance of having some degree of chemistry in the workplace. Successful mentoring can effectively take place when the person whose opinion is being sought is held in high regard. Additionally, the junior party has to self-manage the programme by taking the lead to organise talks and choosing who to talk to.