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I Spent 5 Years Searching for the Right Mentor. Here’s What I Learned

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The Mentor You Choose Can Be the Biggest Career Accelerator — or Your Biggest Mistake. How you can spot the difference!

 

John Anderson (1946-2024)

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Mentorship can be the single greatest accelerator of your career—if you choose the right person and manage the relationship well.

But here’s the truth: finding that person isn’t easy.

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My Story

For nearly five years, I searched for the right mentor.

I switched practice areas. I worked with different leaders.

It often felt like Waiting for Godot—the mentor I needed never arrived.

 

Finally, I made a lateral move and met John.

·  A 40-year veteran of the firm.

·  On his “last run” before possible retirement.

·  Someone who told me, from day one, that he wanted us to succeed.

 

He was all I had been seeking in a mentor—and eventually, he became an even better friend.

The lessons from those five years of waiting (and learning) are what I want to share here.

 

What Great Mentors Actually Do

A true mentor doesn’t hand you a step-by-step manual.

They:

  • Help you see around corners.
  • Accelerate your learning by sharing failures and lessons
  • Give you perspective, not prescriptions.

 

The Attributes That Matter

Look for a mentor who is:

·  Experienced in the path you wish to pursue

·  Candid enough to tell you the uncomfortable truths

·  An advocate for you even when you’re not in the room

·  Accessible—but not overbearing (quarterly can be enough)

Modeling the leadership you aspire to emulate

 

How to Choose the Right One

Don’t just ask “Who’s available?” Ask “Who will shape my future?”

 

The best mentors are those who:

  • Play in your future, not just your present (3–5 years ahead of you)
  • Challenge your blind spots
  • Show willingness, not just ability

 

Your Turn

Do you currently have a mentor?  Are they living 3–5+ years ahead of where you want to be?

 

If not, who can you contact tomorrow to begin building that relationship?

Mentorship is too important to leave to chance.

Start today. If you have a story about a mentor, please share it in the comments below. If you'd like to discuss finding a mentor, please schedule a time with me here.

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