What Happens When You Lose Your Mentor

Mentorship changes as we age. After the death of his mentor, one executive reflects on what this means.  Though companies do often provide guidance and mentorship to high potential employees, once we hit a certain age, that guidance tends to fade away. And yet that’s when many people need it most, because that’s when leaders have the greatest impact. Yes, board members can serve as mentors, but they are also a boss, which makes the relationship more cautious — and one that comes with an agenda. Others might be provided executive coaches, but they help largely with tactics. While this disappearance of mentors is unfortunate, one way these relationships can continue is for the mentee to work harder to become a good mentor, passing along the lessons he or she has learned to others.