Kimberley Broad - Building Genuine Connections Beyond Mentorship

"I believe in the long run when we look back on our careers, or our names may come up in conversation, the most important bit is the 'how' we were and how we impacted people's lives, rather than the 'what' we delivered."

Kimberley Broad understands that true leadership legacy lies not in the projects we complete, but in the lives we touch and the people we empower along the way. Based on the Isle of Man, United Kingdom, Kimberley serves as Chief Public Affairs Officer at Games Global, where she brings the same people-first approach that makes her such an impactful mentor. Her philosophy centres on creating authentic connections that evolve far beyond traditional mentorship boundaries.

A Foundation Built on Timeless Wisdom

Kimberley's resource recommendation reflects her belief in foundational learning and recognising common challenges. "Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg. This book was recommended to me early in my career, and it is a great foundation, offering practical advice on navigating workplace challenges, building confidence, and more importantly shining a light on many aspects that exist that you might not realise are more common than you think."

This recommendation reveals her understanding that sometimes the most powerful realisation is discovering you're not alone in your challenges—a principle that guides her mentoring approach.

Paying It Forward with Purpose

Kimberley's journey into mentoring stems from gratitude and a deep desire to support others. "I have been fortunate to have a number of mentors throughout my career, some relationships occurred organically, and others were as part of organised programs, The GGW program was the perfect opportunity to pay it forward and support other women. I love being able to help and support people, I believe in the long run when we look back on our careers, or our names may come up in conversation, the most important bit is the 'how' we were and how we impacted people's lives, rather than the 'what' we delivered."

This perspective sets Kimberley apart as someone who understands that professional success is ultimately measured by the positive impact we have on others.

Beyond Mentorship: Creating Lasting Friendships

What makes Kimberley's approach particularly special is how her mentoring relationships evolve into something deeper and more meaningful. "Its not really a specific moment, but I have been fortunate to keep in touch with some my mentees and would say mentee isn't the correct word to use anymore. We have created genuine connections and friendships, meeting up in person when possible if we are in the same location which has been great."

This transformation from mentor-mentee to genuine friendship demonstrates the authentic connections that can emerge when mentorship is approached with genuine care and interest in the whole person, not just their professional development.

Growing Through Reflection and Connection

Mentoring has been equally transformative for Kimberley's own development. "Mentoring has allowed me to focus on my active-listening and coaching skills. It's been a great way to reflect on my own career and articulate my decision-making process, also discussing new scenarios and helping people work through them is very rewarding."

This reflection highlights how mentoring serves as a powerful tool for self-awareness and professional growth, challenging mentors to understand and communicate their own experiences more clearly.

Leading with Humility

For those considering their first mentoring experience, Kimberley offers refreshingly honest and encouraging advice. "Do it, dive in and lead with humility, you don't need all the answers. Ask questions, listen actively, and share openly both successes and failures. Mentoring can take you in different directions, it could be practical help, reviewing a presentation or coaching for an interview, or it could be connecting people that you think would be helpful for your mentee. You don't know going into the first session what it will entail, and that's ok."

Her emphasis on humility and flexibility demonstrates that effective mentoring isn't about having perfect answers—it's about being genuinely present and willing to learn alongside your mentee.

The Transformative Power of Connection

Kimberley's vision for mentorship extends far beyond traditional boundaries. "Mentorship can be life changing if you let it, there is no rule book, mentorship can span industries, age groups, gender. Learning and growth is empowering and finding a meaningful mentor can encourage you to reach for bigger goals and achieve things you may not have considered before."

This perspective embraces the limitless potential of mentorship when approached with openness and authenticity.

A Legacy of Impact

Kimberley Broad's mentorship philosophy demonstrates that the most meaningful professional relationships are built on genuine care, active listening, and a commitment to supporting others' growth. Her approach shows that when we focus on how we impact people's lives rather than what we deliver, we create connections that transcend traditional mentorship and evolve into lasting friendships.

Her emphasis on leading with humility and being open to learning alongside mentees creates a model of mentorship that feels accessible and authentic. She proves that you don't need to have all the answers to make a profound difference in someone's professional journey.

If Kimberley's story resonates with you, consider joining the Global Gaming Women mentorship programme. Whether you're ready to pay forward the support you've received or seeking guidance on your own path, there's space for authentic connections that can transform into lasting friendships. Because as Kimberley's experience shows, the most rewarding aspects of our careers often come from the relationships we build and the lives we touch along the way.