Trusting Your Own Judgment: Tara Alvarez Garcia on What Mentorship Really Offers

"The most rewarding part is seeing someone begin to trust their own judgement. Sometimes a person does not need another answer. They need the space, encouragement and challenge to recognise that they already know far more than they think they do."

Tara Alvarez Garcia is a leadership coach and facilitator based in Malta, working mainly with leaders and teams across the gaming and technology industries. Her background is in marketing, and she stays closely connected to the gaming industry through her involvement with Global Gaming Women, where she serves on the International Committee and the Global Marketing Committee. She also leads a Lean In Circle and, from next year, will support and coach other Lean In Circle leaders.

Tara shares what drew her to mentoring, what she has learned from her mentees, and why she believes mentorship matters - particularly in an industry as international and fast-moving as gaming.

A Natural Extension of Her Coaching Work

For Tara, mentoring was not a separate pursuit from her professional life but a continuation of it. "Mentoring felt like a natural extension of my work as a leadership coach," she says. "Much of my professional life is centred around helping people think more clearly, recognise their strengths and approach challenges with greater confidence."

She also frames mentoring as a way of giving back to a community that has shaped her own career. "I have gained a great deal from the relationships, opportunities and community I have found through Global Gaming Women, and I continue to benefit from being involved. For me, it is equally important to give something back. Mentorship is one of the most direct and meaningful ways I can do that."

That same conviction runs through her committee work and her leadership of a Lean In Circle. "I value communities where women do not simply build their own careers, but actively help other women move forward too."

When asked what she finds most rewarding, Tara points to a specific kind of shift she looks for in her mentees. "The most rewarding part is seeing someone begin to trust their own judgement. Sometimes a person does not need another answer. They need the space, encouragement and challenge to recognise that they already know far more than they think they do."

A Moment That Stayed With Her

One mentorship experience in particular has stuck with Tara. A mentee told her that their conversations had given her greater clarity, confidence and perspective - both professionally and personally. "She landed a great promotion that she held herself back for," Tara says.

What mattered most to Tara was not the outcome itself but what her mentee valued about the relationship. "What stayed with me was hearing that she valued the patience, encouragement and genuine support within the relationship. As a coach, I understand how powerful the right conversation can be, but it is still incredibly rewarding to know that someone feels more confident in her thinking and better equipped to make decisions for herself."

She sees this as the core of what mentorship offers. "For me, that is the real value of mentorship. It is not about providing every answer. It is about helping someone recognise her strengths, trust her judgement and move forward with greater confidence."

Learning From the Other Side of the Relationship

Tara is clear that mentoring has shaped her own growth as much as it has shaped her mentees'. "Mentorship is very much a two-way experience. Although I bring my coaching experience and professional perspective to the relationship, I also learn a great deal from each mentee."

Working with mentees across different countries has broadened her understanding of how differently women experience the same industry. "The programme has given me greater insight into the international scope of the gaming industry and the very different realities women may experience depending on their country, culture, organisation and role."

She offers a concrete example. "Mentoring someone working in India has helped me better understand challenges that may be less visible to those of us working in Europe, even when the organisations themselves are closely connected. It has reminded me not to assume that opportunities, workplace expectations or professional barriers are experienced in the same way everywhere."

It has also changed how she listens, even in her professional coaching work. "It has also strengthened my ability to listen without imposing my own context. Even as a coach, it can be tempting to move quickly towards solutions. Mentoring reminds me to stay curious and understand the person's environment before offering a perspective."

Advice for First-Time Mentors

For anyone hesitant to become a mentor because they feel they lack seniority or expertise, Tara says: "You do not need to have every answer, and you do not need to be the most senior person in the room."

She describes good mentoring less as providing direction and more as building trust. "Your experience, perspective and willingness to listen may be extremely valuable to someone else. Good mentoring is not about telling another person what to do. It is about creating a trusted space where she can think, learn and make stronger decisions for herself."

Her advice to those starting out is to approach the relationship with openness. "Start with curiosity, be honest about what you know and do not know, and enter the relationship expecting to learn too. The best mentorship relationships are rarely one-sided."

Why Mentorship Matters

Tara sees mentorship as a way of giving people new access. "Mentorship gives people access to perspective, encouragement and experience that they may not otherwise have. It can help someone see possibilities she had not considered, navigate challenges with greater confidence and feel less alone during important moments in her career."

She believes this is especially true in an industry that spans so many countries and career stages. "It is particularly valuable within an international industry because it connects women across different roles, cultures and stages of their careers. Those relationships help us understand experiences beyond our own and challenge the blind spots we may naturally have."

At the same time, she is realistic about what mentorship can and cannot do. "Mentorship cannot remove every structural barrier, but it can strengthen networks, build confidence and help more women recognise and use their influence."

Tara also describes the effect she hopes mentorship has over time. "At its best, it creates a ripple effect. Someone receives support, takes a step forward and, in time, creates opportunities for someone else. That is what giving back should look like."

Tara's Recommendation

When asked what resource she would recommend to women in the gaming industry, Tara did not point to a single book. "I love books and could recommend far too many, but the resource I would recommend most is a strong network and personal board of advisors to really have in your corner. Men and women."

Her suggestion is to actively seek out people who will offer an honest perspective. "Find or create a circle of people who will challenge you, share their experiences and help you see beyond your own perspective. That might be through a mentorship programme, a Lean In Circle, an industry community or simply a small group you meet with regularly."

She sees this as particularly relevant given how connected and varied the gaming industry is. "Gaming is a fast-moving and international industry, and many of us are navigating or have navigated the same opportunities and challenges. The right network gives you access to different perspectives, practical support and the reassurance that you do not have to work everything out alone."