Gamification in Mentoring: Making Mentorship Fun

Traditional workplace mentorship programs can sometimes feel rigid, formal, or even forced. While the benefits of mentorship—knowledge sharing, career development, and workplace engagement—are well-documented, participation often dwindles when interactions feel obligatory rather than exciting.

The solution? Gamification. By integrating gamification in mentoring, or game-like elements such as points, leaderboards, and challenges, businesses can transform mentorship into a more engaging and rewarding experience. 

In this article, we’ll explore how gamification can revitalise mentorship programs and how you can implement it effectively in your workplace.

The Science Behind Gamification and Learning

Gamification isn’t just about adding points or rewards for the fun of it—it taps into fundamental human psychology motivation drivers. Research shows that game mechanics can enhance motivation, improve engagement, and create a sense of accomplishment. 

When mentorship is gamified, mentees are more likely to stay committed, and mentors find greater satisfaction in guiding others.

Key psychological drivers behind gamification include:

• Intrinsic Motivation: People are naturally drawn to challenges and achievements.
• Social Influence: Leaderboards and collaborative tasks encourage participation.
• Dopamine Rewards: Small wins, like unlocking a point, trigger positive reinforcement.

By leveraging these factors, organisations can foster a mentorship culture that is both enjoyable and effective.

Gamification in Mentorship: Key Elements to Apply

Here are some proven gamification strategies that can be applied to mentorship programs:

1. Points & Achievements

Recognise key milestones with digital points or certificates. For example:

• “First Mentorship Meeting” recognition
• “Skill Builder” recognition for completing a learning module
• “Mentorship Champion” recognition for mentors with high engagement

2. Leaderboards & Friendly Competition

Encourage healthy competition by displaying engagement stats:

• Number of mentorship sessions completed
• Skills learned or courses finished
• Points earned for participation in discussions

This fosters a sense of accomplishment while promoting consistent involvement.

3. Quests & Challenges

Create mentorship challenges to make learning more interactive. Some examples:

• “30-Day Leadership Challenge” where mentees complete small leadership-related tasks
• “Soft Skills Scavenger Hunt” encouraging mentees to practice active listening, networking, or giving feedback
• Team-based challenges where mentors and mentees solve workplace problems together

4. Points & Rewards

Introduce a points system where users earn points for:

• Attending mentorship sessions
• Completing set goals
• Providing feedback on sessions

These points can be redeemed for small rewards, such as company swag, training opportunities, or recognition at team meetings.

Common Pitfalls & Best Practices

While gamification is a powerful tool, it needs to be implemented carefully. Here are some best practices to ensure its success:

• Avoid Toxic Competition: Leaderboards should encourage, not discourage. Focus on personal progress rather than direct competition.
• Ensure Inclusivity: Some employees may not be as competitive as others. Offer various forms of recognition beyond just points and rankings.
• Align Gamification with Business Goals:

How to Use Mentoring Software for Gamification

Gamification is a game-changer for workplace mentorship. By incorporating points, leaderboards, challenges, and rewards, companies can foster an engaging, growth-oriented mentoring culture.

The right mentoring software makes gamification seamless. A platform like Brancher’s mentoring software allows businesses to integrate gamification features effortlessly.

With Brancher, organisations can:

• Automate point and achievement tracking
• Create leaderboards based on engagement metrics
• Set up interactive learning pathways and mentorship challenges
• Provide real-time feedback and recognition

By leveraging technology, companies can ensure that gamified mentorship remains structured, measurable, and scalable.

With Brancher’s mentoring software, you can take your mentorship program to the next level by seamlessly integrating gamification features that keep employees motivated and engaged. Ready to make mentorship fun? Call Brancher today for a demo and see our gamification feature in action.