My son signed up for track and field recently. Not to brag, but back in my day I anchored a state-qualifying, school-record-breaking 4x400-meter relay team. As my son lined up for his first attempt at the same race, I got to thinking about what it means to pass the baton.
In today's fast-paced and increasingly artificially-intelligent world, wisdom is quickly becoming one of the most valuable – and, thankfully, renewable – resources we have. Sharing that wisdom through mentorship is a strategic, legacy-building move that helps shape the next generation of leaders, innovators and race winners.
Being a mentor isn't just about giving advice or retelling stories from back in your day (My son was not impressed with stories about my high school days.) It's about showing up, listening well and guiding with intention to help someone else achieve their own personal bests. If you're thinking about becoming a mentor at work, or if you already are one but want to hone your approach, here's how to make your experience count.
Step off the podium
While your life and career experience are valuable, mentorship isn't about lectures or lessons from the pedestal. The best mentorships feel more like partnerships. The person you are mentoring will have perspectives, curiosity and will often have their finger on the pulse of trends you may be behind on. Approach the relationship with humility and openness. Ask questions. Be curious. You're not just mentoring someone, you're learning from them, too.
Be a mirror, not a megaphone
A good mentor doesn't tell someone what to do. They help someone see things more clearly by asking thoughtful questions, offering perspective and exploring options rather than prescribing solutions. Sometimes the mentor's role is simply to listen and reflect back what you're hearing. That kind of clarity is often more powerful than any to-do list.
Make time
Let's be real – mentors tend to be busy, in-demand people. Mentorship doesn't require a huge time commitment, but it does require intention – consistency matters. A 30-minute check-in every few weeks can go a long way if it's focused and distraction-free. If you can't be available on a regular basis, be honest up front about it. It's better to set clear expectations than to overpromise and underdeliver.
Share the wins and the losses
Your wins are inspiring, but your failures are often more relatable. Don't be afraid to share your missteps, wrong turns and the I-wish-I-knew-then moments. Such honesty builds trust and makes clear that success is often messy, non-linear – and totally human. Mistakes aren't just OK, they're part of the process.
Personalize your approach
Everyone you mentor will be different. While one person might want to hone their leadership skills, another might be launching a startup or navigating workplace dynamics. Ask: "What would make this relationship most helpful for you?" Revisit that question regularly. Goals can shift, and staying aligned keeps things meaningful.
Keep it real and professional
Authenticity matters, but boundaries matter more. You're not there to solve every problem or become someone's therapist; you're there to support and keep things professional, respectful and focused on growth. If things start to drift into unproductive territory, gently steer the conversation back to purpose. This builds trust and models what strong professional relationships look like.
Winning the race
Great mentors don't have all the answers, but they ask good questions, make time and genuinely care. Your guidance can shape the next rising star. And here's the bonus: mentoring keeps you sharp, too. It deepens your self-awareness, hones your leadership skills and reminds you why you started in the first place (After sharing old track stories with my son, I laced up my running shoes and went for a jog.) So if you have wisdom to share, don't keep it to yourself. Pass the baton – and run alongside them for a while.
