What I Got Wrong About Mentorship | Simon Sinek

Summary

The speaker reflects on the importance of mentorship, sharing his experience with his mentor Ron Bruder. He emphasizes that mentor relationships evolve naturally, akin to friendships, and are not forced. The speaker prioritized working with smart, inspiring people over job prestige or pay, highlighting the value of learning and growth in a professional environment.

Takeaways

• 🤝 Mentorship is a two-way street: The mentor also learns from the mentee, making the relationship mutually beneficial.
• 📞 Accessibility is key: A mentor is someone who makes time for you, even after just one meeting, showing their willingness to guide and support.
• 💬 The 'M' word signifies a deep connection: Using the term 'mentor' for the first time solidified the bond, indicating a relationship that goes beyond professional guidance.
• 🤔 Mentor relationships evolve naturally: They cannot be forced or assigned; they develop over time through mutual respect and shared experiences.
• 🌟 Seek mentors who are accomplished and wise: The mentor in the story was successful and years senior, offering valuable life and professional insights.
• 🧐 Look for a mentor who sees potential in you: The mentor made time because they saw something in the mentee, highlighting the importance of being recognized and nurtured.
• 💼 Prioritize people over positions: When job hunting, the focus should be on finding a mentor and a supportive team rather than just the job title or salary.
• 🌱 Growth is the goal: The desire to work with smart and amazing people who can teach and help you grow is a key factor in choosing a job or mentor.
• 🔍 Actively seek out mentors: The speaker's approach to job interviews emphasized the search for a mentor, showing the importance of being proactive in finding guidance.
• 🏆 Mentorship can lead to success: Working with mentors and learning from them has been a contributing factor to the speaker's career achievements.
• 💭 The mentor also benefits: Contrary to the initial belief that mentors only give, the speaker discovered that mentors gain fulfillment and learning from the relationship as well.

Q & A

What did the speaker learn about mentorship from Ron Bruder?

The speaker learned that mentorship is about a mutual relationship similar to friendship, where both parties learn and grow from each other, rather than it being a one-sided favor.

How did the speaker's mentorship with Ron Bruder begin?

The mentorship began when the speaker called Ron with a question after being introduced to him professionally. Ron took the call and they met for lunch, which led to a mentorship relationship.

What was the unexpected response from Ron Bruder when the speaker first used the term 'mentor'?

Ron Bruder unexpectedly reciprocated the sentiment by saying he loved that the speaker was his mentor too, indicating a two-way relationship.

Why did the speaker emphasize that mentor relationships evolve rather than being assigned?

The speaker emphasized this because a genuine mentor relationship is built on mutual respect, learning, and time investment, which cannot be forced or assigned.

What was the speaker's approach to seeking a job as an entry-level professional?

The speaker prioritized finding a mentor and working with smart, amazing people who could teach and help them grow over factors like salary or the profile of the account.

What comparison did the speaker make when describing their job search criteria?

The speaker compared their job search to looking for love, emphasizing the importance of finding the right mentors and colleagues over other job aspects.

How did the speaker's perspective on mentors change over time?

Initially, the speaker thought mentors were just doing them favors, but later realized that mentors also gain something from the relationship, learning as much as they teach.

What was the speaker's attitude towards working with accounts that were not well-known?

The speaker was indifferent to the fame of the accounts, focusing instead on the opportunity to work with and learn from talented individuals.

What did the speaker mean by saying they were a 'more senior idiot' now?

This was a self-deprecating way of saying that while they had gained experience and knowledge, there was still much to learn, indicating a continued desire for mentorship.

How does the speaker define a successful mentor-mentee relationship?

A successful mentor-mentee relationship, according to the speaker, is one where the mentor always makes time for the mentee and both parties learn from each other.

What advice would the speaker give to someone looking for a mentor?

The speaker would advise to seek out mentors actively, focusing on the quality of the relationship and the potential for mutual growth, rather than on superficial job aspects.