Mentoring as a response to uncertain times – how does it support employees in a world of change?

Until a few years ago, employee development was mainly associated with training plans and building the competencies of the future. Today, we are increasingly talking about something else – dealing with uncertainty.

Technological changes, the rise of AI, the dynamic geopolitical situation and increasing pressures at work are causing employees to function in an environment that is difficult to predict and even more difficult to control. This translates directly into stress levels, feelings of security and overall well-being.

In such a context, solutions that not only develop competence, but also strengthen people psychologically and relationally, are becoming increasingly important. One of them is mentoring.

We live in a time of constant change

Uncertainty has ceased to be a temporary condition – it has become a daily occurrence. Organizations are confronted with the rapid development of technology, including artificial intelligence, which is changing the way of working in many industries. Added to this are external factors – the economic and geopolitical situation, which affect business decisions and job stability.

From an employee’s perspective, this often means a lack of a sense of control, difficulty planning for the future and increasing pressure to keep up with change. These are not just observations – they are supported by data. In a 2025 Gallup global survey, as many as 41% of employees said they felt a lot of stress the previous day. Although this is a slight decrease from the record high in 2022, it still shows that high stress levels have become a permanent part of the work environment.

Stress and uncertainty at work – a real challenge for organizations

High stress is no longer just an individual problem – it’s a real business challenge. It translates into a decrease in commitment, difficulty concentrating, higher employee turnover and reduced team effectiveness.

In such conditions, organizations are increasingly looking for solutions that not only develop competence, but also support people in dealing with everyday challenges. You can read about how mentoring affects employee well-being, among other things, in this article.

It becomes crucial to build a work environment where employees feel safe, have space to talk and can benefit from the support of others.

Mentoring as a response to uncertainty

Mentoring, as a development method based on a one-on-one relationship, responds very naturally to the challenges of today’s working world.

Unlike training or courses, mentoring is not just about imparting knowledge. It is, above all, a relationship, conversation and joint search for solutions in the context of real professional situations.

In this way, mentoring gives employees something that is often missing in times of uncertainty:

• space to reflect and organize thoughts,
• decision-making support,
• The opportunity to confront your concerns and challenges with the other person’s experience,
• The feeling that “I’m not alone with this.”

What does the research say about the impact of mentoring?

Research conducted by Forbes 2024, among others, shows that mentoring has a real impact not only on competence development, but also on employee well-being and stress levels. Mentoring also provides emotional support, enhances mental resilience and helps better cope with professional challenges. According to the survey, effective mentoring provides professional guidance and emotional support; according to the results, as many as 78% of HR professionals said that mentoring has a positive impact on personal development.

Those who participate in mentoring programs are more likely to report a higher sense of support at work, greater self-confidence, and better coping with professional challenges. A relationship with a mentor helps them see difficult situations from a different perspective and find more constructive solutions.

Importantly, mentoring works both ways – mentors also benefit from the relationship, developing their interpersonal skills and sense of influence. You can read about how mentors and leaders improve their skills in mentoring in this text.

Mentoring as a stable point in an unstable world

In a world full of change, mentoring acts as a “fixed point of reference.” Regular meetings, a relationship based on trust and the structure of the mentoring process introduce an element of predictability and security.

This is especially important in the context of technological changes, such as the development of AI. Employees often don’t know how these changes will affect their role and professional future. Mentoring provides a space to talk about this, ask questions and seek direction for further development.

Instead of leaving employees alone with uncertainty, an organization can create an environment where change becomes a supported process – not a source of stress.

How does mentoring help reduce employee stress?

Mentoring doesn’t eliminate uncertainty – but it does help you deal with it better. It works through several key mechanisms:

• relationships and social support that reduce tension levels,
• better understanding of the situation, through conversation and reflection,
• A greater sense of empowerment, resulting from working on specific activities,
• developing competencies that increase confidence in a changing environment.

This combination makes mentoring not only a development tool, but also a real support for employee well-being.

Mentoring in practice – support for people and organizations

By implementing a mentoring program, an organization invests not only in competence development, but also in the mental resilience and adaptability of its employees.

This is especially important at a time when change is the only constant. Mentoring helps build an organizational culture based on collaboration, knowledge sharing and mutual support – and these are the kinds of environments that work best under uncertainty.

Mentoring that gives backing – human first, AI boosted

We have no control over the pace of technological change or the geopolitical situation. However, we do have influence over how we prepare people to function in this world. Mentoring is one of the most natural and effective responses to growing uncertainty. It connects people, gives space for conversation and supports growth – not only professionally, but also personally. If you want to learn more about what employee mentoring is all about, also read this article.

If you want to reduce stress levels in your organization and at the same time support employee development, mentoring may be one of the best steps you can take. At Mentiway, we help design and implement mentoring programs that realistically support people in their daily work – especially when they need it most.

FAQ – mentoring versus stress and uncertainty at work

Can mentoring really reduce employee stress?

Yes. Mentoring provides relational support, a space to talk and helps you cope better with challenges, which translates into lower stress levels.

How does mentoring help in times of technological change, such as the development of AI?

Mentoring gives employees the opportunity to discuss their concerns, better understand the changes and plan further development in the new reality.

Does mentoring only affect mentees?

No. Mentors also develop their competence and derive satisfaction from participating in the process, which has a positive impact on their involvement and well-being.

Does mentoring replace other well-being activities?

No, but it complements them brilliantly. Mentoring works at the level of relationships and daily support, something that is often missing from standard well-being initiatives.

Will mentoring work for every organization?

Yes – provided the program is properly designed. Mentoring can be tailored to the size of the company, the industry and the needs of the employees.