L'importanza dei mentori per la carriera

Summary

The speaker reflects on the absence of mentors in their early life, emphasizing the importance of internal motivation. They mention Isaac Newton as an inspirational figure and later acknowledge a colleague, Andrea, as a significant mentor during their research career. The speaker also discusses their experiences as a mentor at Google, highlighting the challenges of one-on-one mentorship and their preference for peer-to-peer relationships. They express a desire to improve their mentoring skills and a sense of responsibility towards those who look up to them.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker did not have significant mentors during their childhood and early youth, and they had to create internal motivation.
• 📚 The speaker had a passion for mathematics from a young age and found inspiration through the works of scientists like Isaac Newton.
• 🔍 Despite not having mentors, the speaker's academic journey was self-driven, with a focus on internal motivation rather than external influences.
• 🤔 The speaker mentions the absence of social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok during their formative years, which might have influenced their focus on studies.
• 🤝 The first impactful mentor the speaker had was a colleague during their postgraduate years, who shared the same research interests in robotics.
• 👥 The speaker acknowledges the importance of peer-to-peer relationships and the lack of a hierarchical approach in their mentorship experiences.
• 👨‍🏫 The speaker had some enlightening professors during their university years, but the relationship was not as deep as a traditional mentorship.
• 💼 In the professional realm, the speaker found mentors in the form of colleagues who were exceptionally skilled but did not necessarily have the mentoring attitude.
• 🌐 The speaker has been influenced by modern thinkers and authors like Carl Newport, Tim Ferriss, Shane Parish, Naval Ravikant, and Derek Sivers.
• 📈 The speaker has experienced personal growth and improvement in their career, moving from a low-income situation to better circumstances.
• 👨‍🏫 The speaker has taken on mentoring roles, particularly at Google, and has received positive feedback from mentees, indicating a natural ability to mentor.

Q & A

What impact did mentors have on the speaker's life?

The speaker mentions that they did not have many mentors in their early life, and they had to create their own internal motivation. However, they did have a colleague at university who they consider a mentor, and they also mention being inspired by figures like Isaac Newton.

Did the speaker have any mentors during their childhood or young adulthood?

The speaker states that they did not have any significant mentors during their childhood or young adulthood, and they had to rely on their own internal motivation.

How did the speaker's passion for mathematics influence their life?

The speaker's passion for mathematics seems to have been a driving force in their life, even though they did not have mentors to guide them. They mention that if you search their name and surname on Google, you will find something, indicating that their interest in mathematics has led to some recognition.

What role did the university play in the speaker's life regarding mentorship?

The speaker mentions that the university was not very impactful in terms of mentorship. They did not have many professors who acted as mentors, except for a few who were particularly insightful.

Who was the first person the speaker considered a mentor?

The first person the speaker considered a mentor was a colleague from university who they worked with both before and after graduation, from 2002 to 2007.

What was the name of the colleague who acted as a mentor to the speaker?

The speaker's mentor's name is Andrea, who they describe as a smart colleague and a significant influence in their life.

How did the speaker's approach to mentorship change over time?

The speaker mentions that they were once quite arrogant and did not seek mentorship as much. However, they later appreciated the mentorship they received and now aim to provide educational content through their video channel, although they feel they could improve in this area.

What is the speaker's current approach to mentorship?

The speaker is not currently engaging in one-on-one mentorship but is focused on providing educational content through videos on their channel. They express a sense of guilt for not doing as much direct mentorship as they would like.

How did the speaker's experience at Google influence their perspective on mentorship?

At Google, the speaker had the opportunity to mentor others, which they enjoyed. They mention having been a tech lead for a team and having had interns, for whom they received positive feedback.

What challenges does the speaker face in their mentorship role?

The speaker feels a sense of guilt and frustration for not being able to provide the level of mentorship they desire. They mention that they have been 'sainted' by others, but they do not feel they are living up to that expectation.

How does the speaker's attitude towards hierarchy affect their approach to mentorship?

The speaker dislikes hierarchy and prefers a peer-to-peer approach in both work and inspirational relationships. This attitude may influence their mentorship style, making it less hierarchical and more collaborative.