When I think about the biggest turning points in my career, almost all of them involve people—those who gave me a shot, challenged me to think differently, or took the time to teach me something they didn’t have to. That’s the thing about mentorship: it’s not always formal, but it’s always powerful.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring many young professionals. Some were interns trying to find their path, others were new hires navigating the steep learning curve of the financial world. What I’ve come to learn is that mentorship isn’t just good for the mentee—it can have a profound impact on the mentor too.

Guiding others can sharpen your own skills, expand your perspective, and reignite your passion for the work. It’s not a one-way street—it’s a two-way growth engine.

The First Lesson: You Don’t Have to Know Everything

Early in my career, I assumed that being a mentor meant having all the answers. I thought I needed to be perfect or polished before I could help someone else. But that’s not how it works.

One of the most meaningful lessons I’ve learned is that mentorship is about sharing the journey, not just the wins. Your mistakes, your pivots, the things you wish someone had told you—those are the gold.

Being transparent with the next generation doesn’t make you less of a leader; it makes you more human, more trustworthy, and more impactful. And funny enough, the process of articulating your lessons to someone else often reinforces them for yourself.

Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Means Building Better Teams

In finance, especially in high-pressure areas like interest rate derivatives, performance is everything. But strong individual performance can only take a team so far. What really sustains long-term success is the development of others.

Mentorship helps build a deeper bench of talent. When you invest in people—train them well, challenge them, and give them space to grow—you end up with a team that is more capable, loyal, and resilient.

I’ve seen this firsthand. Some of the sharpest minds I’ve worked with started out green, wide-eyed, and unsure. With time, guidance, and support, they became top producers, leaders, and even mentors themselves. That kind of ripple effect is worth every ounce of effort.

You Stay Current by Listening

One unexpected benefit of mentorship? You stay young. Or at least, you stay sharp.

The next generation brings fresh perspectives, new questions, and often a different approach to problem-solving. They challenge the status quo. They’re more tech-savvy, more socially aware, and often more collaborative.

When you take the time to mentor someone, you learn just as much as you teach. It forces you to revisit why you do what you do, adapt your communication, and stay in tune with where the industry is headed. It’s easy to fall into routines when you’ve been in the business a while. Mentorship shakes that up in the best way.

It’s Not About Creating Mini-Yous

One common trap mentors fall into is trying to mold mentees in their own image. But mentorship isn’t about cloning yourself—it’s about helping others become the best version of themselves.

That means listening more than talking. Asking questions instead of giving directives. Encouraging them to explore their own path, even if it looks different from yours. Some of my proudest moments as a mentor have come from watching people take a completely different approach and succeed in ways I hadn’t imagined.

When you give people room to grow authentically, they bring back new energy and ideas that benefit everyone—including you.

The Legacy You Leave

We often talk about legacy in terms of deals closed, titles held, or money made. But for me, the most meaningful part of my career will always be the people I’ve helped grow.

Whether it’s a former mentee leading their own team, someone who calls years later to say “you made a difference,” or just knowing you helped someone through a tough week—that’s what lasts.

Mentorship gives your career purpose beyond the numbers. It gives you a chance to shape the culture, to create opportunities for others, and to build something that outlives your time in the chair.

Make Time—It’s Worth It

I get it—our schedules are packed. In finance, there’s always another call, another trade, another deadline. But mentorship doesn’t have to be a big formal program. It can be a coffee chat, a check-in, or just being available when someone needs to talk.

Making mentorship part of your rhythm—whether weekly, monthly, or casually—creates a culture of support. And over time, that culture builds loyalty, performance, and connection.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a seasoned professional, I encourage you to lean into mentorship. Not just because it’s the right thing to do—but because it will elevate your own growth in ways you didn’t expect.

And if you’re earlier in your career, seek out mentors. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, to observe, and to connect. We all get better when we learn from each other.

At the end of the day, mentorship is about people. And in a world that often moves too fast, it’s one of the most human, meaningful things we can offer.