Mentorship
Mentorship - Growing Together, One Conversation at a Time!
Welcome back to another edition of Next-Level Skills. Each edition, we explore the human and leadership capabilities that help us navigate work and life more effectively. Skills that move beyond theory and into practical application.
A warm welcome to everyone who has joined our community since the last edition. Whether you've been with us since the beginning or have recently discovered the newsletter or the book, thank you for being part of this journey.
This week, we are diving into a topic close to my heart: Mentorship. Beyond formal programs or structured sessions, mentorship is about building trust, exchanging perspectives, and unlocking potential in ways that transform both mentor and mentee.
The Power of Listening First
One of the greatest gifts in mentorship is presence.
Ishika Jadhav, my mentee from UNSW mentoring last session, shared words that deeply humbled me:
“What stood out in every interaction was Abhishek’s ability to listen with intent, offer feedback with kindness, and challenge me to think deeper and aim higher. He believed in me, identified areas I could improve, and encouraged me to take ownership of my personal and professional development — especially when it came to building confidence.”
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”
— Leadership expert Stephen R. Covey
True mentorship requires us to reverse this habit.
Listening with intent is more than waiting for our turn to speak. It creates a safe space where mentees feel valued and heard, enabling honest dialogue.
Pro Tip: During mentoring conversations, pause before responding. Let silence create room for reflection and deeper discussion. This simple practice often reveals insights that surface only when we resist the urge to fill every moment with words.
As we build listening into our mentoring style, we naturally shift to the next critical skill: offering feedback with empathy and courage.
Feedback That Builds, Not Breaks
Constructive feedback is at the core of mentorship.
This highlights a key truth: feedback delivered with empathy does not simply correct; it empowers.
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
— Maya Angelou
Feedback that uplifts while guiding improvement leaves a lasting mark.
Strong feedback loops naturally open the door to another essential element of mentorship - helping others navigate uncertainty.
Guiding Through New Journeys
During my involvement with The PMO Leader mentoring program, not long ago (thanks to Bruno Morgante!), my mentee, Mehreen Badar - PMP® shared how our conversations helped them navigate through their challenges:
Whether entering a new workplace, a different culture, or a completely new career, mentorship often provides the steady hand that helps others adapt and thrive.
A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.
— Oprah Winfrey
That spark of hope is often the first step toward confidence and clarity.
Pro Tip: Share practical, real-world strategies drawn from our own experiences. These lived insights - small tips about workplace dynamics, cultural nuances, or confidence-building - often have the greatest immediate impact.
Guidance during transitions builds trust, and trust deepens the connection that makes mentorship a two-way street.
Mentorship Is Mutual Growth
While mentees gain clarity, mentors also grow. Every interaction offers fresh perspectives and opportunities to reflect on our own leadership and values.
In truth, mentorship is a dialogue, not a download. When we engage with curiosity, we often leave each conversation wiser than when we started.
Pro Tip: Treat every mentoring session as a learning opportunity for ourselves. Ask open questions like “What are you learning about yourself in this challenge?” and share how their answers expand our own understanding.
Mutual growth brings us to the heart of why mentorship matters - it creates ripple effects that extend beyond any single relationship.
This and other essential skills are covered in Next-Level Skills — the book.
Learn more about the Book →A Challenge
Think about someone in our network who could benefit from our experience. Reach out and offer a mentoring conversation, even informally.
A simple “How can I support you right now?” can open doors we never imagined.
Some Final Thoughts...
Mentorship is not a title or a program - it is a commitment to seeing potential in others and helping it shine.
Whether through formal settings like UNSW, professional networks such as The PMO Leader, or informal workplace relationships, every mentoring conversation can ignite transformation.
The words shared by my mentees are reminders of the quiet power of mentorship:
Share your mentoring experience where a mentor or mentee helped shape your growth.
Until Next Time,
Abhishek
Founder & CEO, LegiQ | Building Intelligent Edge Hardware
How do we identify when someone is ready to be mentored?
Should mentorship always be structured, or can it be entirely organic?
What qualities make a mentor truly impactful in a professional setting?
How can we balance giving honest feedback while maintaining encouragement?
If we could mentor our younger selves, what guidance would we give first?
In a remote or hybrid world, what creative ways can we foster mentoring relationships?
What role does vulnerability play in successful mentorship?
How can we measure the impact of a mentoring relationship beyond promotions or job changes?
What is the most valuable lesson a mentor has ever taught you?
How can mentorship benefit the mentor as much as the mentee?
Apply These Skills
- ✓Put the frameworks into practice this month.
- ✓Use the reflection prompts inside the book.
- ✓Build habits that compound over time.
This and other essential skills are covered in Next-Level Skills — the book.
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