The Power of Mentorship In Life and Work

Mentors are present throughout our lives, even if we don’t notice. They listen, support, and advise us, but most importantly, they can offer new perspectives and open our eyes.

By Joseph Burns, Founder and CEO of Lupa

I’m sure you’ve heard of the term “mentorship”. Maybe at work, you have someone you look up to, or perhaps a close friend in your neighborhood offers you great advice. Either way, you might have a mentor in your life without even realizing it. Interestingly, while 76% of people believe mentors are important, only 37% have one.

What is mentorship then? It is defined as a dynamic relationship where a more experienced or knowledgeable individual—the mentor—provides guidance, support, and advice to someone less experienced—the mentee. Sometimes the line between them is quite thin, as it often becomes a mutually beneficial bond.

This trusted confidant can help you navigate your personal and professional journey, offering the perfect blend of active listening, empathy, and honesty that we all need from time to time. As John C. Crosby said: “Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.”

For me, the main value of having a mentor in your life is relying on someone who can offer an outside perspective on your problems and empower you by asking the thought questions no one dares to.

In this article, I intend to illustrate what makes a great mentor—from my own experience being a mentee and mentoring others. Before we begin, always keep in mind: even the most seasoned ones need guidance for both personal and professional growth.

My Mentorship Figures

Mentorship has always been present in my life. I recall the very first life lessons I learned from my greatest mentors—my parents. From a very early age, they encouraged me to figure things out independently and take responsibility for my own actions. I can't forget to mention my brother and sister. I've watched them excel in their careers and lives, deeply admiring their perseverance and passion.

At work, I have taken guidance from peers and great leaders. I even maintain a close relationship with CEOs of companies that directly compete with me. While I do want to outperform them—it's in our nature—we both get great insight from sharing perspectives and advice. At the end of the day we all work for the same cause: empower Latin American talent.

But beyond anything else, I always try to surround myself with people I can look up to. My best friend, my girlfriend, and even my pastor are all mentors in my life, contributing values, insights, and diverse perspectives to my worries and problems. This proves that mentors can be found in every walk of life—you just have to choose the right people who can help you become a better version of yourself.

Best Advice I Received From a Mentor

My very first formal mentor was John Min, a Korean immigrant who married a woman from the town where I grew up, which was quite a coincidence—given the small size of my hometown. He led the commercial side of the first business where I worked, and we traveled together frequently to close deals.

If I could pick one person who had an impact on me, besides my parents and siblings, I would say John Min every time. He was the most positive and energetic-spirited man I ever met, always looking at the brighter side of things—even when it seemed impossible. He would light up every room he entered, showing genuine affection and sympathy with everyone he encountered.

One of my biggest superpowers is to identify and predict problems—not just at work. But this usually has a B side: it makes me fall into profound cycles of negativity. I remember this one time when John and I had to work with a very difficult client. He was rude and always carried a bad attitude. But John came to me and said: "If you don't like him, he's not going to buy from us. Can you think about one thing you like about him?". It was that simple. Just one good quality about someone I disliked and suddenly my whole perspective towards him changed—and, yes, we closed that deal.

John Min's mentorship sure taught me a lot about the financial industry, foreign currency exchange market, and fintech, but more importantly about switching my attitude and mentality towards life, helping me open my view towards things and people, avoiding falling into the negative side of things—that won't get you anywhere.

How to Be a Great Mentor

I've been lucky enough to cross paths with some of the most interesting and wise people, who taught me lessons that changed my life for the better. Here is my honest view on what makes a great mentor:

Active listening and empathy

Mentors usually have many great insights to share from their own experiences and can offer inspiring speeches. However, truly great mentors also give their mentees space to talk and express themselves, showing genuine interest and empathy for their perspectives and feelings. They might even learn a thing or two from their students.

Structure and commitment

If there's someone who takes things seriously is a mentor—a good one, of course. They have an important role in other people's lives and they must stay in character for that. A great guru always has a clear meeting schedule and definite goals for their mentees. Mentorship is about mutual respect so, having both parties involved and organized is essential—if not, why waste both of your time?

Honesty and Feedback

As a mentor, you can be proud and congratulate your mentees on their achievements, but not everything is flowers and rainbows. You should challenge their views and help them overcome mental barriers, which most of us carry. Many limitations are self-imposed, and a mentor who helps others recognize and break down these burdens can significantly influence their personal growth.

Openness

A mentor can be a very wise and respected person, but years ago, they were in the same place as any junior or young person is now. They probably made a million mistakes, and less experienced individuals should take advantage of this. Great mentors share their past errors and lessons learned, which can be incredibly valuable and relatable to the current issues their mentees face.

Networking and Connections

Especially at work, connections are everything—even if you don't want to admit it. And who better than a mentor to introduce you to other potential mentors or influential people who can help you succeed? When a mentor doesn't have the tools to support you with a specific issue, they almost certainly know someone else who does.

Storytelling

Knowing how to tell a story is not just for writers. It's a potent skill that can transform a speech and connect deeply with others. A good mentor must master the power of storytelling to share their lessons and experiences in an engaging and meaningful way. Stories can encapsulate complex ideas and inspire action, making them powerful tools in mentorship.

My Experience as a Mentor

To set things clear: I've been the mentee way more than I've been the mentor. Either way, I came to learn one thing or two about mentoring that can come in handy if you are thinking of mentoring someone:

Many young people lack a clear plan

Why have a plan when you can relax and think about it later? Reality check: 10 years goes by really quickly, and if you're in your 20s, you should start building a successful future now. Having a plan is the formula to achieve things—they won't just fall into your lap. That's why I always ask my mentees: What do you want to achieve in the next 5, 10, or 20 years? With this, I can help them map it out and ensure they are taking the necessary steps toward those goals.

You can't just tell people what to do

You have to offer your perspective and let them choose their path. I've found that some take mentorship seriously, while others don't. What's the point of mentoring someone who doesn't even want your help? Attitude and commitment are crucial, and if your students don't show interest, then you are wasting time. Those at the lower end certainly deserve a chance, but if they don't have a growth mentality, they are not worth your time—as harsh as it may sound.

Mentorship is a two-way street

My mentees often teach me as much as I teach them. This can even extend to reverse mentorship. For example, I don't understand Gen Z trends—I don't even have a TikTok account. There are many new and emerging trends that I'm not familiar with, but I can learn about them from someone in their early twenties. Asking them questions about what they know not only helps me understand these trends but also makes them feel valuable and important, which they are.

Putting It All Together

At the end of the day, my primary goal isn't just to be a successful businessman—my ultimate aim is to thrive in all aspects of life. My professional identity is just one facet of who I am, and many of my mentors have stressed the importance of recognizing this separation.

When I mentor others, I apply the same principle, asking about their overall well-being, not just their performance. It's not only about metrics or revenues being up or down. I focus on their growth as individuals—are they becoming the person they aspire to be? Do they feel genuinely proud of the individuals they are, beyond just their professional role?