Role models and mentors can profoundly shape our personal and professional development. Drawing from the experiences of founders, coaches, and high-level executives, we’ve compiled sixteen powerful stories. From a High Performance Coach’s informal coaching to an Email Marketing Specialist’s practical influence, these narratives reveal the diverse ways mentors have left indelible marks on their mentees’ journeys.
- C-Level Leader’s Informal Coaching
- Digital Marketing Mentor’s Impact
- Emulate and Adapt Role Model Behaviors
- Entrepreneurial Mentor’s Resilience Lessons
- IT Expert’s Influence on Leadership
- Thought Leaders’ Indirect Guidance
- Mentor’s Support Through Crisis
- Time Management Mentorship
- Game Developer’s Audience Engagement Mentorship
- Manager’s Harmonizing Leadership Influence
- Professor’s Lifelong Learning Mentorship
- Travel Mentor’s Cultural Exchange Teaching
- Manager’s Lesson in Compassion
- Peer Mentor’s Shared Growth Journey
- Recruitment Mentor’s Career Direction
- Social Media Strategist’s Practical Influence
C-Level Leader’s Informal Coaching
I had a C-level leader as a mentor early in my career. We regularly had 1:1 time, and they would ask me questions, allow me to share critical feedback, and listen to my innovative ideas. Because we had built a high-trust rapport, they were informally coaching me in these conversations, helping me shape and evolve my ideas further. They eventually sponsored me to lead a company-wide project. This not only allowed me to learn but also helped me build my confidence. Since that time, I know I have meaningful ideas that can add value and impact. I am so grateful for this guidance and support to this day!
Marian Astor Hunt
High Performance Coach, Mpowered
Digital Marketing Mentor’s Impact
One person who significantly influenced my personal development was my former manager and mentor early in my career. With his unparalleled expertise in digital marketing, he was a beacon in forging my professional path.
He shaped my raw enthusiasm into a focused drive, reinforcing the importance of always keeping pace with the ever-evolving digital marketing landscape. For example, my mentor emphasized the importance of staying updated on the latest trends and technologies in marketing automation, which led me toward my interest and subsequent expertise in this field.
My mentor’s wisdom came in handy when I was navigating complex challenges while expanding a marketing agency’s services into digital and social media. His stance on targeted, data-driven strategies laid a strong foundation for my current approach to marketing campaigns, which prioritized measurable outcomes.
His mentorship helped me realize the potential of digital transformation, which I later championed at Digital Silk, contributing to an impressive 40% increase in company revenue in just two years. My mentor’s enduring influence continues to shape my journey, reaffirming my belief that embracing continuous learning and innovation are the key drivers of success in the dynamic world of digital marketing.
Eva Miller
VP of Marketing, Digital Silk
Emulate and Adapt Role Model Behaviors
Want to know how to become the person you admire most?
Well, have you ever heard the phrase: “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have?” The Stoics teach us a similar technique for rebuilding your identity: It starts with finding a role model whom you most admire. This could be a real person, or a fictional one. It could be a celebrity, an entrepreneur, or a historical figure. It could be an amalgamation of many different people.
Whenever you face a challenge, a crossroads, or a crisis of choice, imagine your role model in that situation, and imagine what they would do. All you need to do is mimic their behavior.
Then the next step is to imagine that person watching you, and you must behave as they would expect from you. Tell yourself you ARE that person, and imagine how you must now modify your behavior to conform with this idea.
“I am someone who can take this in stride and deal with it cheerfully.”
“I am someone who embraces change.”
“I am someone who doesn’t let people walk on me.”
“I am someone who puts that packet of crisps back.”
“I am someone who exercises daily.”
Instead of trying to force yourself to do a fad diet, or intense boot camp, which is out of sync with your reality and your routine, the right mentor forces you to do the right actions and behaviors until it becomes part of your identity.
Nicholas Robb
Lifestyle Business Expert, Life by Design
Entrepreneurial Mentor’s Resilience Lessons
During the early days of founding eLearning Industry Inc., I was fortunate enough to cross paths with a mentor whose impact on both my personal and professional development has been profound.
She was a seasoned entrepreneur who had navigated the complexities of scaling an online business in the educational sector. Her guidance was pivotal during our initial expansion, where managing a rapidly growing platform and community of 1,400 authors seemed daunting. She taught me the importance of resilience and adaptability, which have since become cornerstones of my leadership style.
Her most impactful lesson was about the power of community. She advised that the heart of any content-driven platform is its contributors and users. This insight led me to prioritize building strong relationships with our authors and understanding their needs, which in turn has dramatically influenced our success.
We now boast over 150 articles published monthly, a testament to the vibrant and engaged community we’ve cultivated. Her mentorship didn’t just shape my business strategies; it profoundly influenced how I view leadership—less as directing and more as empowering and nurturing. This perspective has been integral to my personal growth and the flourishing of eLearning Industry Inc.
Christopher Pappas
Founder, eLearning Industry Inc
IT Expert’s Influence on Leadership
The most profound influence on my personal development and growth has been my mentor during my time at Cofinpro AG, Germany. He was an expert with deep domain knowledge of the IT sector and a proficient problem-solver.
His organized and empathetic work approach was influential. I recall one project where we had to design a complex IT architecture for a bank’s regulatory and compliance reporting system. He led the team calmly during a crisis, and his ability to anticipate problems and devise solutions in real-time was exemplary.
Observing him, I learned the importance of detail-oriented design, proactive problem-solving, and empathetic leadership. These teachings played a significant role in my decision to co-found Ling and in shaping its successful trajectory.
He continues to influence my approach to building an inclusive culture at Ling and promoting remote and hybrid work environments. This journey emphasized how our growth is often the summation of lessons we learn from those who inspire us.
Simon Bacher
CEO and Co-Founder, Ling
Thought Leaders’ Indirect Guidance
One thing I want to point out here is that there are different kinds of role models, and you don’t need to have a personal connection to or relationship with someone to get guidance from them. Some of the people who have been the most influential to my career progress are thought leaders like Greg Savage, Lou Adler, and Katrina Collier—people that I’ve never actually met, but whose wisdom and insights I’ve gained from reading their publications or attending their speaking engagements.
A recommendation I would give to anyone who wants to make career progress is to actively seek out sources of continuous learning. Find the thought leaders in your industry whose advice most resonates with you, or who you most identify with. Follow these individuals on social media and seek out the content they produce in the form of podcast episodes, articles, or books they’ve written, or webinars and talks they give.
I subscribe to a number of newsletters and blogs related to recruiting, and make a point of devoting at least a couple of hours every week to reading the latest posts. I am absolutely certain that doing this has helped me to make not just faster career progress, but to target my learning and skill-building in the right areas. The more firmly you have your finger on the pulse of your industry, the better you’ll be able to shape your career path within it.
Matt Erhard
Managing Partner, Summit Search Group
Mentor’s Support Through Crisis
They saved my life! In 2016, I moved to Santa Cruz with my young family to build a boat for my Honest Eco tour business in Key West. I was constructing the first lithium-ion hybrid-electric boat to be certified by the Coast Guard, and nothing went as planned. The delays and challenges had me on the brink of financial collapse. A partially built boat is worthless, and stopping midway would mean losing all the initial investment.
I had to keep going, building the boat and managing our Key West operations from the wrong coast, but the stress was near unbearable. I knew it wasn’t fair to my wife or our young kids. Fortunately, Wes King of Tahoe Trailbars, who was becoming a mentor, showed me a path. He gave me the book ‘The Obstacle Is the Way’ by Ryan Holiday, which taught me that setbacks are inevitable and you have no right to expect otherwise. This perspective helped me stop feeling sorry for myself and deal with the situation.
Wes also got me into a gratitude journal, morning sprints, cold showers, and Vipassana meditation. He called me every Saturday for over a year, offering support without being asked. He taught me the importance of mental care, something often overlooked. In the Western world, we know to exercise for physical health but often neglect our mental health.
I try to let Wes know how much he helped me and my family, but he probably doesn’t understand how miserable I felt and how much he saved my quality of life. Now, I always try to take time to listen and share what’s worked for me with others who are struggling.
Billy Litmer
Founder, Honest Eco Tours
Time Management Mentorship
Dan Martell’s “Buy Back Your Time” has been a game-changer. His mentorship guided my personal growth, teaching me effective time management and delegation.
By implementing his strategies, I streamlined operations and focused on core activities at ContractorBond.org. This boosted my productivity and significantly contributed to the company’s growth.
Martell’s practical advice and insights have shaped my personal and professional life, driving success and innovation within my business.
Michael Benoit
Founder, ContractorBond.org
Game Developer’s Audience Engagement Mentorship
A seasoned game developer profoundly impacted my early career with his deep industry knowledge, from crafting games to marketing them. He instilled in me the critical skill of audience engagement, a key to the triumph of That Video Game Blog.
His mentorship in networking and forging industry connections led to unexpected opportunities. He highlighted the power of collaboration to spark creativity and expand influence, resulting in partnerships that elevated our blog’s profile and trustworthiness.
His steadfast encouragement and insightful feedback have been instrumental in honing my professional principles. He taught me to view challenges as catalysts for growth, nurturing adaptability and ingenuity in my content creation strategy. His guidance remains a fundamental influence on my evolution as a blogger and a gaming industry connoisseur.
Dane Nk
Founder, That VideoGame Blog
Manager’s Harmonizing Leadership Influence
Mentors have been pivotal in shaping my growth, offering priceless direction in my career path. A key figure was my former manager, an expert in IT and web development, whose empathetic and strategic leadership deeply influenced my approach at Japan-101.
Watching them steer intricate projects and inspire our team taught me to harmonize technical know-how with people skills, creating a cooperative and efficient atmosphere. This guidance has bolstered my confidence in making choices and driven me to pursue ongoing personal and professional development.
Stanley John Kebite
Project Manager, Japan-101
Professor’s Lifelong Learning Mentorship
My college professor in business ethics—with whom I’ve maintained a close relationship since graduation—continues to be a role model and a mentor figure in my life to date. His passion for teaching and dedication to his students left a lasting impression on me during my academic years.
Beyond the classroom, he took a genuine interest in my growth and offered valuable mentorship that extended beyond graduation. His mentorship was instrumental in guiding me through the transition from academia to entrepreneurship, providing me with practical advice, industry insights, and unwavering support as I navigated the challenges of starting my own business.
This long-standing mentorship has been a constant source of inspiration and encouragement, instilling in me the importance of lifelong learning, critical thinking, and perseverance. Through regular discussions—we try to meet quarterly—he challenged me to think creatively, explore new ideas, and embrace opportunities for growth and self-improvement.
His insights often ground me, reminding me of the core values and motivations that inspired me to start my company in the first place, guiding my decisions and actions with purpose and clarity.
Michael Hurwitz
CEO and Co-Founder, Careers in Government
Travel Mentor’s Cultural Exchange Teaching
One person who had a profound influence on my personal development is a mentor I met during my early travels—an elderly nomad from Spain. Despite our age and cultural differences, our shared love for travel and exploration brought us together.
He was a veteran traveler, having visited every continent, and was always upbeat about encountering new cultures and places. My passion for travel was nascent then, and his infectious enthusiasm certainly fueled it. I was particularly inspired by his vision of travel not merely as a vacation, but as a journey of personal growth and knowledge exchange.
He coached me about the nuances of being a responsible traveler, one who respects and learns from different cultures instead of just being merely a sightseer. The most important thing I learned from him is the power of immersing oneself into unfamiliar territories and getting out of one’s comfort zone.
This teaching essentially triggered my evolution from a curious traveler to a travel blogger, helping hundreds of thousands of people navigate their dream journeys. His emphasis on knowledge exchange continues to influence my work, fostering a deeper understanding and respect among diverse cultures. This mentorship not only shaped my travel journeys but also my professional career, fortifying my entrepreneurial spirit.
Yulia Saf
Founder, Miss Tourist
Manager’s Lesson in Compassion
The most important lesson one of my first managers taught me was that everyone has something going on in their lives that you don’t see. In the early stages of your career, it’s so easy to take a bad interaction personally or write the other person off if they’re unreasonable or unkind to you.
But when someone is short with you, it’s rarely really about you. They may be having the worst day of their lives, a season full of stress, or weren’t given the tools to manage their emotions well. Not taking things personally allows me to show up for people and deal with tough conversations calmly. It has also helped me extend an extra-long rope of compassion to people who are difficult to deal with.
Holgar Sindbaek
Founder & CEO, World of Card Games
Peer Mentor’s Shared Growth Journey
One of the most impactful influences on my personal development has been a peer mentor, a colleague from a previous job who embarked on their own entrepreneurial journey around the same time I did. Our shared experiences and mutual support have been invaluable in shaping my growth and approach to business development.
We formed a strong bond as we faced the same challenges of starting and growing our own businesses. We scheduled monthly calls to exchange insights, share lessons learned, and provide each other with constructive feedback.
I struggled to maintain a steady content schedule due to the numerous demands of running a business. He helped me implement better systems and time management to efficiently create content in batches and schedule posts throughout the week.
Getting this real-time feedback from a peer going through the same challenges as me has been a huge help. Entrepreneurship can feel like you’re in it alone sometimes, but having a peer is like having another member of your team who wants you to succeed.
Reed Daniels
Owner, Rail Trip Strategies
Recruitment Mentor’s Career Direction
I have had the good fortune to have a number of mentors, both formal and informal, who have helped to further my career growth. I can honestly say I would not be in the role I am today if it weren’t for an early mentor who helped to guide me toward the recruitment industry when I was still in my previous role in healthcare education.
I had been in that sector for a few years but hadn’t made the progress I had hoped and was starting to feel frustrated, burned out, and disengaged from my work. It was my mentor who noticed that I seemed to get that passion back when I talked about the career development aspect of that role.
It was thanks to his guidance that I was able to hone in on this as the aspect of my work that gave me the most satisfaction, and he encouraged me to pursue a career in talent acquisition and career development, which he thought would be a better fit for my skills and interests. It turned out he was absolutely right, and I’m consistently excited by the work I do every day with Airswift.
I may have eventually realized that this was the right path for me without his guidance, but having that outside perspective helped me get there faster. I think this is what I would say is the biggest benefit of having a mentor—not that they will give you the answers, but that they ask the right questions that encourage you to find those answers for yourself, and can help direct your attention to things that you’ve overlooked or that are in your blind spots.
The idea of changing industries wasn’t even something that was on my radar until my mentor suggested it, but once he did, it seemed obvious, and that’s the kind of epiphany that a mentor can guide you toward in every area of your career.
Rob Boyle
Marketing Operations Director, Airswift
Social Media Strategist’s Practical Influence
My role model, Courtney Johnson, is a social media strategist and influencer who has greatly influenced how I approach marketing in a competitive industry. Her tips are easy to understand and follow, which makes learning from her straightforward and attainable.
One specific tactic I adopted was increasing my posts on LinkedIn, sharing industry insights, and interacting with others’ content. This strategy improved my online visibility and showcased my expertise to a wider audience.
By doing this, I was able to land a job that was a perfect fit for my career goals. Courtney’s clear and relatable advice was key to this success, boosting my confidence and shaping my approach to both personal development and professional growth.
Alexa Wheelhouse
Email Marketing Specialist, Safe Software
