How to Get — and Keep — Great Mentors
“When the student is ready, the teacher appears.”
But most people misunderstand that quote. They think it means the right mentor will magically show up in their life. That’s not how it works.
The truth is simpler — and harder: Mentors appear when you become someone worth mentoring.
My First Job: I Was Un-Mentorable
Early in my career, I failed. Not because I lacked intelligence. Not because I lacked opportunity. I failed because I was not someone people wanted to invest their time in.
I had ego. I didn’t respect people’s time. I expected help without earning it.
Worst of all? I wasn’t even aware of it.
So the people who could have accelerated my growth… didn’t. They simply chose to spend their time elsewhere. And looking back, they were right.
The Career Shift That Changed Everything
At my next job, I made a decision: I was going to become the most help-able person in the room.
Not the smartest. Not the most talented. Just the most coachable.
Something interesting happened. Managing partners started pulling me aside.
They wanted to spend time with me. They offered advice. They shared lessons they normally wouldn’t. I listened to every word and took notes.
I learned faster. I produced better results. And eventually… I earned more than I ever thought possible.
Mentorship didn’t change my career. Becoming someone mentors wanted to help did.
The 5 Rules of Being Mentorable
After years of mentorship — both receiving and giving it — these are the principles that matter most.
1. Come Prepared
Mentors don’t want vague conversations. They want clarity.
Before you ever reach out, ask yourself:
What exactly do I want to learn?
What problem am I trying to solve?
What outcome am I trying to achieve?
The more specific you are, the more valuable the conversation becomes. Clarity attracts mentorship.
2. Show Genuine Gratitude
Mentors are giving you the one thing they can never get back: their time.
A sincere thank-you matters more than people realize.
Sometimes the best thing you can do is simply say:
“That advice helped me more than you know.”
Small gestures — even a handwritten note — go a long way. Gratitude builds long-term mentorship.
3. Execute and Report Back
This is where most people fail.
They ask for advice… Then they never implement it. This is — by far - the most annoying and frustrating thing about mentoring others.
Mentors don’t enjoy teaching people who collect ideas. They enjoy teaching people who create results.
When something works, tell them. When something fails, tell them. That feedback loop turns advice into real learning. Execution earns more mentorship.
4. Be Resourceful Before Asking Questions
Nothing drains a mentor faster than lazy questions.
Never send messages like:
“Can you talk?”
“Are you available?”
Instead, communicate like this:
State the problem clearly
Explain what you’ve already researched
Explain where you’re stuck
Ask what you might be missing
Example:
“I’m trying to solve X.
I’ve looked at A, B, and C.
I’m unclear about D.
What perspective am I missing?”
Now you’re not asking them to think for you. You’re asking them to help refine your thinking. That’s a conversation mentors enjoy.
5. Always Respect Time
If you are late — or disorganized — the mentorship will end quickly. High-level people are extremely protective of their time. You may only get one opportunity to prove you respect it.
Treat every meeting like it matters. Because it does.
The Hidden Truth About Mentorship
Most people search for mentors. Few people work on becoming someone mentors want to help.
But the moment you become:
prepared
grateful
resourceful
action-oriented
respectful of time
Something interesting happens. Mentors don’t just appear. They compete to help you.
I learned this the hard way and am now surrounded by a handful of mentors who enjoy speaking to me so much that we get together often. I am continuing to master this framework and to become someone worth investing in.
Today, I look to pay it forward. At my company, there’s nothing more I enjoy than finding the next big-action taker who will generate big results.
Become someone worth mentoring, follow the process, and reach out.
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e: jon@movewithmomentum.com / movewithmomentum.com
