What can the statement of the problem be for the following: The literature on mentoring and leadership competency in higher education reveals that mentoring is crucial for developing leadership competencies, regardless of gender. However, experiences and outcomes can differ significantly between male and female faculty members, raising questions about discrepancies. Leadership significantly influences an organization's mentoring competency, with constructive feedback and self-reflection fostering critical thinking skills, a key leadership competency, according to studies. Gender can significantly influence mentoring relationships, potentially impacting leadership competencies development. Institutions must consider these factors when designing and implementing mentoring programs, as experiences and outcomes can vary between male and female faculty