"I have nothing valuable to discuss with a mentor."
This belief is killing more careers than lack of opportunity ever will.
The truth? Your daily work is full of mentorship material.
Most people hesitate to engage, "respect others' time."
False. Seasoned leaders 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 to help — your silence robs you both of growth.
Stop overthinking.
Start with any of these 6 mentorship conversation starters:
- That meeting where you stayed quiet
𝗔𝘀𝗸: “How do you know when to speak up in senior forums?” - The feedback you’re afraid to give
𝗔𝘀𝗸: “Can we role-play this conversation?” - The project scope that grew unexpectedly
𝗔𝘀𝗸: “How do you manage stakeholder expectations mid-project?” - The next role you’re eyeing
𝗔𝘀𝗸: “What gaps do you see in my readiness for [position]?” - The team conflict you’re observing
𝗔𝘀𝗸: “What’s your framework for addressing team dynamics?” - The key artifact you’re working on
𝗔𝘀𝗸: “Can you review my approach to address this challenge?”
You don’t need to script every conversation.
Start with one question. Listen. Follow your curiosity.
Every meeting, project, and challenge is mentorship material — if you ask.
Stop waiting for the "perfect" topic.
Remember, your mentor's job isn't to solve your problems.
Their job is to help you think through them differently.
