From Geek to Star #27 - Is mentoring for you?

If you missed the previous episodes, you can access them online here.

🗓️ This Week – Episode 27:  is mentoring something you need?

If you read my newsletter #26, you may recall I took the example of a movie of the 1980's called “The Karate Kid” to share my thoughts on how it is important to sometimes slow down to make new learnings and habits stick. 

Coincidentally, about the same day I published my newsletter, a newspaper article was published, also taking “The Karate Kid” movie to illustrate another aspect: mentorship. The author pointed out how today’s professionals often move fast, change jobs frequently, and expect instant growth. This leaves little room for the kind of long-form mentorship that used to happen naturally: between a master and an apprentice, a senior and a junior, a Mr. Miyagi and a Daniel-san.

And yet, mentorship may be a real antidote to the current culture of acceleration: it’s the space where we relearn how to grow, not just move.

🧭 Mentoring or Coaching? Same Purpose, Different Paths

People often confuse the two, but while coaching and mentoring both help you grow, they take different roads to get there.

A coach helps you find your own map.

Their approach is rooted in questioning and reflection, helping you uncover blind spots, beliefs, and patterns that hold you back. Coaches don’t give direct answers: they help you build awareness and mindset strength, so you can design your own.

Coaching is powerful when you need:

• Clarity on who you are and what you want next.
  

• Accountability to move forward.
  

• A safe space to reflect and reset your inner compass.
  

A mentor, on the other hand, helps you walk faster on the map you already have or shows you new terrain they’ve personally explored.

Mentors share their experience, stories, and lessons learned so you can avoid pitfalls and accelerate your journey. They’re more concrete and action-oriented:

• They’ve “been there before” and can tell you what worked (and what didn’t).
  

• They can help you reframe challenges and make decisions faster.
  

• They give you the confidence that comes from knowing you’re not walking alone.
  

As a former C-level tech leader and now in my work through The Way Forward and Geek to Star, I blend both approaches depending on where the person stands in their SHINE journey.

Sometimes you need reflection to reconnect with clarity (coaching).

Other times, you need pragmatic guidance and an experienced sparring partner (mentoring).

It’s about helping you stand and fly with both awareness and action, leveraging on your current strengths and reflecting on where you want to move ahead.

🤔 Do You Need a Coach or a Mentor?

The short answer: both, but not necessarily at the same time.

• A coach: It depends. If your map is already clear right now (you know what you want, where you’re going, and what’s blocking you), you might not need one immediately. A coach becomes helpful later, when the path blurs again and you need perspective to reorient yourself.
  

• A mentor: Yes. Always.
  
  

  • Have one or two long-term mentors  (often inspiring managers you’ve had in the past). Ask to keep in touch; reach out once or twice a year. Over time, you’ll gain from their hindsight, empathy, and guidance. Even after 27 years in tech, I still have four mentors (inspiring leaders I had in my careers) I speak with once or twice a year. Each brings a different lens (strategic, human, or technical) and helps me stay grounded.
    

  • And when you reach a point where you feel stuck or frustrated (when you know your worth but progress isn’t coming), that’s the moment to look for a dedicated mentor who can help you move forward intentionally.
    

That’s where I often come in: as a sparring partner for tech professionals who feel they’ve plateaued or want to rediscover their SHINE.

💡 Why Mentoring Matters More Than Ever

In a world of infinite content, guidance is scarce.

You can learn anything online, but wisdom, the kind that shortens your learning curve and multiplies your impact, still comes from people.

A great mentor doesn’t just hand you the answers to your concerns.

They help you ask the right questions, avoid the wrong battles, and focus your time and energy where it truly matters.

✨ Reflection

Who has been your “Mr. Miyagi”?

Or who could you be that for, today?

Maybe this is the right time for you to find one - or to become one for someone else.

🙏 I’d Love to Hear From You

Have you ever had a mentor who changed the way you think or work?

Reply to this email, I read every note.

Follow me on LinkedIn for more reflections and “behind-the-scenes” thinking between newsletters. Don’t hesitate to comment or reshare,  it’s one of the best ways to grow your SHINE 🌟. If you want to know more about how I can support you 1-1 to thrive in your tech career, have a look at my offerings here.  

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Forward this email to one engineer or tech friend who might need a reminder: strong roots make lasting growth.

✨ May the SHINE be with you!

From Geek to Star by Khang | The Way Forward