A Thinking Piece by Associate, Mafalda Franco
I came across a post recently by Nina Lancin an Entrepreneur and Business Coach that really resonated with me:
“Never forget the person who taught you the work when you were new and clueless. Many people can hire you, but only a few will teach you with patience, protect you when you make mistakes, and say 'don't worry, you'll learn'.”
Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to have had many unofficial mentors — people who may never have realised the significant role they played in my development, yet to whom I’m forever grateful. They generously shared their knowledge and experience, helped build my confidence, and gave me a safe space to learn and make mistakes without fear of judgement.
This post serves as a reminder of just how powerful mentoring can be — not only during those early years when you’re navigating a steep learning curve, but at every stage of a career. A good mentor accelerates your growth, helps you find direction, and opens doors you may never have found on your own. Equally, those who mentor gain just as much in return — deepening their own knowledge, developing their leadership skills, and finding a genuine sense of purpose in lifting others up.
The benefits also extend beyond the individual. When organisations embed mentoring into their culture, they hold onto talented people, preserve vital knowledge, and build stronger, more inclusive teams — steadily building confident professionals ready to lead and move the industry forward.
Whether you formally mentor someone, informally guide a colleague, or simply take the time to have a meaningful conversation in the office, never underestimate the impact those interactions can have. They are not just valuable — they are often the moments that shape careers, strengthen organisations, and elevate entire industries.