How Can a Mentor Help You Thrive?

Everyone, no matter their experience level, can benefit from a mentor or coach. The form this relationship takes and the goals it serves will vary from person to person. Availability, budget, and personal circumstances all play a role in determining the kind of support you can access. But one thing is certain — navigating your professional journey alone isn’t the best path to success. So, let’s dive into Heritage Thinking Differently to explore why mentoring could be the key to unlocking your potential.

The Power of Mentorship

Let’s get personal — I've had a mentor for several years, and I can honestly say my career has been more rewarding, thanks to this relationship. My mentor is a highly respected cultural professional who has faced many of the same challenges I’ve encountered. We met through a leadership program, and since then, he has been a guiding presence in my professional life. I don’t reach out constantly but knowing he’s there when I need him makes a world of difference.

Why? Because growth doesn’t happen when you’re wrapped in a cloak of overconfidence and defensiveness. True development comes from being vulnerable, from allowing yourself to admit that you don’t have all the answers. Too often, we believe that projecting confidence is the key to success, but in reality, embracing humility and self-awareness is what sets true leaders apart. If your career is shaped solely by what others expect from you, you’ll never fully discover your own strengths and aspirations.

Seeing the Bigger Picture

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learnt is that we all have blind spots. We make decisions based on past experiences, often only understanding them in hindsight. We can become so caught up in our own perspectives that we struggle to see the world from another’s point of view. This can lead to viewing colleagues as obstacles rather than allies, misinterpreting intentions, and making decisions fuelled by fear rather than logic.

A great mentor won’t just give you answers—they’ll challenge your assumptions, ask the right questions, and help you see the bigger picture. They’ll fine-tune your perspective, helping you adjust the volume on your inner critic, quiet unnecessary distractions, and sharpen your focus on what truly matters.

Finding the Right Mentor

Not everyone can afford a professional coach, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find mentorship. If a paid program isn’t feasible, consider seeking out someone you admire in your field. This isn’t about finding someone you want to imitate—that can reinforce biases—but rather identifying a professional who is self-aware, well-respected, and ideally, working outside of your organisation.

Reach out. Ask if they’d be willing to offer guidance. The cultural sector is a collaborative and supportive space, and you might be surprised by how many people are willing to help. However, be prepared — mentorship requires openness. If you’re not ready to be honest, self-reflective, and a little bit vulnerable, you might not be ready for mentorship just yet.

Beyond Mentors: Other Growth Tools

If direct mentorship isn’t an option, there are still plenty of ways to support your professional growth:

• Targeted Reading: Books that provide insight into different perspectives, leadership challenges, and self-awareness can be transformative. Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses and choose reading material that will help you grow in meaningful ways.

• TED Talks & Thought Leadership: These are excellent resources for exposure to diverse perspectives and fresh ideas.

• Self-Reflection: Rather than striving for perfection, focus on aligning your work with your strengths. Don’t see gaps in your skills as flaws—instead, recognise where you thrive and how you can maximize your impact in those areas.

Is It Time for a Mentor?

The real question isn’t “Do I need a mentor?”—it’s “Am I ready to be mentored?” If you’re willing to be challenged, to step outside your comfort zone, and to embrace vulnerability, mentorship could be the best investment you make in yourself.

If you’re looking for professional mentoring services, I offer tailored support, with a particular focus on neurodiverse professionals. You can find more details about my experience and approach on my website. If you’d like to explore whether mentorship is right for you, let’s talk.

In the meantime, consider offering guidance to a colleague who may benefit from it. Supporting someone else’s growth might just be the most rewarding action you take this week.

Paul Baker

Links:

Heritage Thinking Differently - Mentoring

The Thinking Differently Blog - Leadership

The Thinking Differently Blog - Neurodiversity