Mentorship isn't a “Nice to Have”

Launching a business is terrifying. It's a relentless series of decisions, and often, you feel like you're building the plane while flying it.

I've been fortunate enough to have some incredible mentors. Individuals who saw my potential. Those who weren't afraid to tell me when an idea was good. And, more importantly, when it was nonsense.

Last year, I lost one of the most significant voices in my professional life. As I navigate the chaos of my own business, the absence of his guidance is a daily reminder of how irreplaceable genuine mentorship is.

Mentorship is often framed as a noble, charitable act. It’s also a fundamental business imperative.

For the young professional, it's obvious:

• A mentor can distill twenty years of costly mistakes into one five-minute conversation, saving you time, money and self-doubt.

• They don't just give you advice, they can introduce you to the people who will accelerate your progress.

For the senior leader or executive, the benefits are less discussed but even more profound:

• Young professionals bring fresh perspectives and can give leaders a new look at emerging trends and technologies they might be missing in the C-suite echo chamber.

• It's how you ensure your experience and wisdom continues. The greatest leaders don't just build companies. They build the next generation of leaders.

I hear it constantly: "I'd love to mentor, but I just don't have the time."

We are all busy. The world runs on packed calendars and endless notifications. Make the time. You never know which ten-minute interaction will be the changing point for someone's entire career.

Simply show someone that they are seen, which is often enough to keep them from quitting on a bad day.

We all have a duty. It’s a duty to pay it forward.

Stop waiting for a formal program or a clean, empty slot in your schedule. Be open. Say yes to one extra coffee meeting a month. Answer that out-of-the-blue email from a young person who admires your work.

Your wisdom is a resource that you have an obligation to share. It's the hand-off that keeps the business world evolving.

I miss my mentor’s guidance every single day, and I am determined to be the person he was.