The Power Of A Mentor
The Moment I Needed a Mentor
Have you ever faced a moment in life when nothing seemed to go as planned? When every door you knocked on stayed shut, and no matter how hard you tried, success felt just out of reach?
That was me, standing at a crossroads after medical school. I had just completed two years of general surgical residency and was determined to pursue a career in orthopedic surgery. But orthopedic surgery is one of the most competitive specialties in medicine. It was like being drafted onto a professional sports team—you had to be the right fit, in the right place, at the right time.
After countless applications and interviews, rejection after rejection arrived. With each letter, my confidence crumbled. I had done everything right—excelled in school, gained experience, worked hard. But it wasn’t working out.
It was in that moment of uncertainty that a mentor stepped in and changed the trajectory of my life.
When I was struggling to find my place in medicine, Dr. T, the Chief of Anesthesiology, became my mentor. He saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. He encouraged me to consider anesthesiology—a field I had never even thought about. He took time to share his passion, to guide me, and to advocate for me in ways I wouldn’t fully understand until years later. He showed me a vision for the future that I had never considered.
The Mentor Who Went to Battle for Me
With Dr. T’s encouragement, I applied for an anesthesiology residency at one of the top programs in the country. But my application was late, and chances were slim. I went through the interviews, put my best foot forward, and then waited.
Days turned into weeks. Still, no answer.
Then, just before final decisions were made, I got the call—I had been accepted. I was thrilled.
I went on to become a successful resident and later flourished in providing patient care through a 30-year career in anesthesiology—all because a mentor fought for me when I couldn’t fight for myself. He saw a future in me that I couldn’t see for myself. Dr. T gave me the gift of a bright future simply because he took the time to invest in me at a time I needed it more than I knew.
The Difference Between a Mentor and a Coach
I’ve had great coaches throughout my life. In sports, a coach teaches you specific skills, helps you set goals, and pushes you to improve your performance. In leadership, an executive coach might teach you how to run a better meeting, give stronger feedback, or build a high-performing team. Coaches are very valuable and they coach us to get better in certain areas of our lives.
But mentors are different. The word "mentor" originates from Greek mythology, specifically from Homer’s Odyssey. In the epic, Mentor is a wise and trusted advisor to Odysseus, the king of Ithaca. When Odysseus leaves for the Trojan War, he entrusts the care and guidance of his son, Telemachus, to Mentor.
However, the Goddess Athena, who often assists Odysseus and his family, disguises herself as Mentor to offer wisdom and guidance to Telemachus. Because of this, Mentor became symbolic of a wise and trusted counselor or teacher. Someone who provides guidance, wisdom and support based on years of experiences in a personal and/or professional way. .
A coach helps you win the next game and maybe the season by understanding the skills and mindset you need. A mentor helps you navigate life based on their real life experiences over many years.
Coaches focus on skill-building in the short term. Mentors guide you through major transitions, tough decisions, and defining moments over years or even decades around character, life vision for the future, and mindset. They are long term relationships over many years.
True Mentors Change Lives
Mentors do more than offer advice. They see the bigger picture, they believe in you even when you don’t believe in yourself, and they advocate for you in ways you may never even realize.
I think back to my mentor, Dr. T, who once told me something I’ve never forgotten:
"Mike, don’t ever think you’re going to be remembered because of a title or a plaque on the wall. The only way you’ll be remembered is by the few people whose lives you truly make a difference in."
Do You Have a Mentor? Are You Being One?
Mentorship, giving and receiving, doesn’t just happen—you have to seek it out.
Ask yourself:
Who is guiding me through life’s biggest decisions? Do I have a mentor who challenges me, advocates for me, and helps me see beyond my immediate situation?
Am I investing in someone else? Mentorship isn’t about status—it’s about showing up for someone, sharing wisdom, and believing in their potential.
Am I offering mentorship or coaching? Coaching is valuable, but real mentorship changes lives in deeper, lasting ways.
A Vision for True Mentorship
Imagine a world where leaders prioritize mentorship over legacy-building.
Where mentors fight for the people they believe in, instead of just protecting their own reputation.
Where success isn’t measured in titles and awards, but in the lives changed.
Where we seek out mentors—and become them—so the next generation has a guide when they need it most.
Because at the end of the day, mentorship is the only legacy that truly lasts.