Making the Most of Mentorship

When done right, mentorship is far more than a line on a resume or a LinkedIn connection. It's one of the most underutilized yet powerful tools for personal and professional growth at any stage of your career.

So let’s unpack what mentorship really looks like, how to find the right mentor (or be one), and how to squeeze real value out of these relationships without it feeling awkward, transactional, or like another box to check.

Finding the Right Mentor

Step 1: Define what you need right now

Before finding a mentor, ask yourself:

• What challenge am I facing?
• Where am I trying to grow?
• What kind of perspective could shift my thinking?

You might not need a long-term mentor, you might need a "situational mentor" to help you navigate a single challenge, like negotiating your first salary or transitioning careers.

💡 Example: “I’m launching a side project and struggling to find early users. I’d love to learn from someone who’s done this before.”

This gives you clarity and narrows your search.

Step 2: Look sideways, not just upward

Most people look for mentors above them. But some of the most powerful mentorship comes from:

• Peers in different industries (they offer fresh thinking)
• Former classmates who are ahead in one specific skill
• Someone younger who’s mastered a tech or platform you haven’t

Look for people whose thinking, work ethic, or creativity you admire, not just their title.

💡 Tip: Use LinkedIn or communities like Lunchclub to find people who align with your goals, even if they’re outside your immediate circle.

Step 3: Make the first ask low-pressure

Don't lead with: “Will you be my mentor?”

Instead, start like this:

• “Hi [Name], I’ve been following your work on X and found your take on Y really thoughtful. I’m working on something similar and would really value your insight. Would you be open to a short chat next week?”

This makes the ask easier to say yes to, and if it goes well, the relationship can grow naturally from there.

Being a High-Value Mentee

“Mentorship is not free coaching, it’s a relationship you contribute to.”

Once someone says yes, the real work begins.

Step 1: Come prepared with context and clarity

Before your meeting:

• Send a short agenda or goal for the call.
• Briefly explain your background or project.
• Share specific challenges you want input on.

💡 Example: “I’d love your thoughts on marketing a niche SaaS product with no budget. I’ve tried [X, Y] but haven’t gotten traction.”

This helps your mentor prepare mentally and makes the conversation productive.

Step 2: Treat it like a dialogue, not a download

Avoid asking, “What should I do?” Instead, say:

• “Here’s what I’ve tried so far…”
• “What do you see that I might be missing?”
• “How would you approach this with what you know now?”

Show your thinking. Let them build on it. That’s how you earn better insights.

Step 3: Follow through, follow up, and say thank you (genuinely)

After your conversation:

• Send a thank-you note, same day if possible.
• Update them a few weeks later on what you implemented.
• Mention the impact their advice had.

💡 Example: “Thanks again for our chat. I implemented your suggestion to run user interviews before launching and it completely changed the product direction. I’d love to keep you updated as things evolve.”

That follow-through makes you memorable and worth investing in again.

Becoming a Mentor (Before You Think You’re “Ready”)

“You only need to be a few steps ahead to light the way for someone else.”

Think you’re too early in your career to mentor someone? Think again.

If you've navigated something someone else hasn’t: your first job, a bad manager, a failed product, you have valuable insight.

Here’s how to mentor with confidence and humility.

Step 1: Listen deeply before offering solutions

Start every mentoring conversation by asking:

• “What’s feeling most stuck for you?”
• “Where do you want to grow but feel blocked?”
• “What’s the hardest decision you’re sitting with right now?”

Give people space to think aloud. Often, they’ll find their answer just by articulating it.

Step 2: Share your messy middle

Too many mentors only talk about what worked. But mentees learn most from your flops:

• The time you got passed over for a role.
• The project that crashed.
• The mistake that taught you the most.

💡 Pro tip: Frame stories using the “Challenge → Insight → Outcome” formula.

Step 3: Set clear boundaries and expectations

It’s okay to say:

• “I’m happy to be a sounding board for a few chats, but I may not have bandwidth for regular check-ins.”

Or:

• “I’m best at helping with X. Happy to share what I know there.”

You’re not signing up to be their career therapist, you’re offering a slice of your time and experience.

Sustaining Mentorship Over Time

Once a mentorship begins, you want to keep the relationship alive without forcing it.

Step 1: Keep the rhythm loose but intentional

You don’t need a monthly call, but you do need occasional check-ins.

• Send updates.
• Ask for feedback on progress.
• Offer to return the favor.

💡 Example: “I came across this article and thought of our last convo, wanted to share in case it’s useful to you too!”

Step 2: Let the relationship grow into friendship or respectfully fade

Not all mentorships last forever. Some are one-off. Some become mutual collaborations. Some evolve into genuine friendships.

Stay open. Don’t force it.

But always part with grace and gratitude.

Wrapping Up

You don’t have to wait for an official program to be mentored or mentor others. Make it a habit to:

• Reach out to people you admire.
• Offer help when you can.
• Share what you’re learning.
• Stay curious about others' paths.

Mentorship isn’t something that happens to you. It’s something you practice.

If you found this article valuable:

• Follow me for more articles on remote team processes, tips and hiring ⇢ Milos Eric
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