My first mentor taught me core values when I was fresh out of college, in my early 20s, and launching my career in the construction industry. Now, over a decade later, mentoring the next generation is something I take great pride in. Each year, I guide individuals with careers in every industry using the tools I learned along the way to help them become the best versions of themselves professionally and most importantly, personally.
Watching their careers evolve—from entry-level roles to positions at prestigious companies—demonstrates the profound impact of mentorship and brings me back to my own experience as a mentee.
Self-awareness in mentorship
Although we worked in different industries, my mentor took me under his wing and instilled two core values that have sustained me throughout my career journey: strive to do better and always remain relevant. These values touch both personal and professional development and are essential for avoiding stagnation. My mentor did more than guide me in leadership; he placed me in situations that challenged me to grow.
Cory Frank
In business and life, who you are directly impacts how you mentor others. As mentors, we should aim to replicate the positive characteristics that others appreciate about us. You must have a strong foundation before you can step into a mentorship role, along with the emotional intelligence to be a supportive and positive resource for your mentee. Recognize that technical skills can be taught, but soft skills like transparency, authenticity and vulnerability are inherent traits that drive success and are often developed through experience.
It’s crucial to be culturally relevant when adapting your mentoring approach to each relationship. Understanding and respecting cultural differences allows for more effective connections, addresses unique needs, and supports meaningful personal growth.
Essential qualities and tips
• Create achievable milestones: Clear goals that are nothing but achievable for your mentee are imperative. It can be tempting to create broad 5-10-year plans, but focus on outlining specific, smaller milestones to start. This keeps your mentee accountable. Concentrate on their learning journey and help them identify areas for improvement with assessments like the DISC profile, which pinpoints strengths and weaknesses.
• Balance guidance and autonomy: While it’s deeply rewarding to see your mentee’s growth, remember that mentoring is not about dictating their path. Start by asking, “Do you need a listening ear, a solution, or a personal example?” For example, I recently had lunch with someone facing a big life decision, and after listening, I asked how I could support them, prompting them to reflect on the advice they truly needed. This question helped them move past their stress and see the bigger picture.
Effective mentoring involves discerning when to set boundaries and prioritize emotional support over quick solutions. When someone brings a problem to you, it’s natural to want to jump in and fix it immediately.
Instead, provide guidance and accountability to help them build the confidence to make their own decisions.
• Lead with empathy: Empathy is like laying a strong foundation in relationships. Just as a firm foundation supports a building, empathy supports deeper connections by allowing you to truly understand and care for others. Mentors who demonstrate empathy in their leadership can foster a secure and supportive environment where mentees feel empowered to grow in both their professional and personal lives.
• Embrace continuous learning: In any industry, staying relevant and being a lifelong learner is essential. Encourage mentees to embrace new challenges, seek out learning opportunities, and stay curious. Answer questions with a question, like “What is your next step?” to motivate self-reflection and accountability. I ask that my mentees take the initiative in guiding our discussions and sessions, whether it’s a phone call, coffee or dinner meeting. Their mentorship experience is theirs to shape—what they put into it is what they will get out of it.
• Understand their world: Prioritize understanding your mentees’ perspectives and aspirations in the early stages of the mentorship process. By empathetically embracing their worldview, mentors can tailor their guidance to have the greatest impact—metaphorically take their glasses off, put them on your eyes, and see through their lens. Stay in touch with generational trends. Your mentee might be older or younger than you, and understanding their unique experiences and perspectives can make a significant difference in your mentorship.
• Creating lasting relationships: Being a good mentor requires a significant commitment. It is essential to choose a mentee who demonstrates transparency, authenticity and vulnerability. Concentrate your efforts by selecting 2-3 mentees each year so you can build thorough connections and ensure each mentee receives the resources required for success.
Over the years, I have learned that success is not achieved flying solo; it involves learning from others’ experiences and sharing your own wisdom. I am grateful for the mentors and mentees in my life and am committed to walking alongside those who seek guidance.
Cory Frank is vice president of business development and project management at Nigro Construction.
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