You Don’t Deserve a Mentor
Want senior people to invest in you? Try being someone worth investing in.
Let’s be honest:
Most people don’t want mentorship.
They want validation.
I’ve had this conversation a hundred times:
“Why can’t I find a mentor?”
“Why don’t senior people help more?”
“Why does no one want to invest in junior talent anymore?”
Here’s the reality:
You’re not entitled to mentorship.
Not just because you’re early in your career.
Not even if you’re “willing to learn.”
Want someone to give you their time, feedback, experience, and contacts?
You need to show them how you’re worth the investment.
And I don’t mean with some emotional LinkedIn post about how hard it is out there.
I mean with your attitude. With your ability to take feedback and actually do something with it.
The One Percent
Do you know how rare it is to find someone who actually wants feedback — and can take it without spiraling or getting defensive?
Like really take it.
The other day I messaged a junior SDR with a profile picture where he had his hoodie up. I told him (respectfully) that if he wants to land a sales role, he should upload a more professional picture. Within five minutes he replied:
“Thanks so much — I appreciate the tip. I’ll get that sorted today.”
That’s it. No ego. No excuses. Just someone who gave a shit.
One percent behavior.
Most people? They’d ghost me. Or reply with something like:
“I’m just trying to be authentic”
Translation: “I don’t want to grow, I want to be right.”
What the Data Says
This isn’t just a gut feeling. Here’s what the research shows:
A 2023 Harvard Business Review study found that 71% of mentors stopped engaging when mentees lacked follow-through or resisted feedback.
A global survey by Olivet Nazarene University found that only 37% of professionals have a mentor, and of those, nearly half said the relationship fizzled out due to mismatched expectations or lack of effort.
And get this: According to Mind Gym, 43% of Gen Z workers say critical feedback makes them feel “attacked”, even when it’s delivered constructively.
If you’re wondering why mentorship is hard to find — that last stat should stop you cold.
To the Seniors Reading This
Look, if you want to be a leader — you’re going to need to mentor people. But don’t confuse that with giving your time away to anyone who asks.
The best mentees? They don’t wait to be found. They find you.
They ask thoughtful questions.
They action your advice.
They make your time feel valuable, not wasted.
Mentorship is an investment. You should be picky.
Give your time to the ones who actually want to grow. Not the ones who just want to say they “have a mentor.”
To the Juniors Reading This
Here’s the cold truth:
The world doesn’t owe you a mentor.
It’s on you to earn it. Not through your credentials, but through your curiosity, effort, and coachability.
If ten people ignore you, message ten more.
If someone gives you honest feedback, say thank you — then act on it.
If it stings, that probably means it’s true.
The best mentorships aren’t asked for — they’re built.
And it all starts with showing you’re worth mentoring.
P.S.
If you are one of the rare few who actually wants to grow — we’ve built something for you.