The Gift of Mentors: Why You Don’t Rise Alone

So, What Does This Mean?

I’ve had a lot of titles in my life, but the truth is, the biggest leaps in my career never came from a title. They came from people. People who believed in me long before I believed in myself.

Early in my corporate career, one of my bosses encouraged me to apply for a promotion. I would never have done it on my own. I didn’t think I was qualified. I didn’t think I was ready. But he clearly saw something I didn’t, and because I trusted him, I went for it. And I got it.

Years later, another boss sent me to my first NLP and Huna training. Afterwards, when I asked him why he sent me, he said, “You were ready. And I knew I couldn’t wait for you to feel ready.” He believed I was ready much sooner than I believed it myself. That experience changed my life and set me on the path I’m walking today.

And it didn’t stop there. Consulting contracts, invitations to global boards, opportunities to speak in rooms I once only dreamed of… all of them happened because someone believed in me enough to give me a chance.

Some of these people were mentors. Some weren’t.
But every one of them was a turning point.

That’s what this article is about.
Not the formal programs, not the applications, not the templates.
It’s about the humans who help you rise.

The people who loan you their belief until you find your own.

Need Some Tools and Ideas to Try?

Let’s make this easy — because mentoring becomes powerful when it’s simple.

1. Borrow Belief
When someone who knows you says “You’re ready,” listen.
Borrow their belief until your own catches up.

2. Strive to Thrive with Five
Think of five people who lift you higher — professionally or personally.

These are your expanders. Your encouragers. Your honest voices.

And if you don’t know five names yet, write down the types of people you need:
• someone who’s already doing what you want to do
• someone who’s two steps ahead
• someone who challenges your thinking
• someone who helps you stay grounded
• someone who simply believes in you

That’s enough to start.

3. Expand Your Ripple
Reach out to one person in your network and ask for their perspective about the direction you’re exploring. Not a job. Not a favor.
Perspective.

End the conversation with, “How can I support you?”
That one sentence builds more goodwill than you can imagine.

4. The Reciprocity Rule
Support others even when you don’t need anything.
It comes back around in unexpected ways.
Sometimes years later.

5. The Energy Audit
Who fills your tank? Who drains it?
Mentoring is a relationship. Start with the people who make you feel more like yourself.

How Can You Apply This as a Leader?

Mentoring isn’t just something you receive.
It’s something you model.

Great leaders normalize asking for help.
They show their team that learning is not an admission of weakness.
They encourage peer mentoring, cross-team connection, shared wins, and open conversations.

Leadership readiness is a team sport.
You don’t rise alone.
And your team shouldn’t have to, either.

Want an Exercise?

The Support Circle

Take a few quiet minutes and walk yourself through this short reflection. It connects your next step to the people who can help you take it.

1. What’s the next move you want to make?
Think in terms of direction, a broad goal. Maybe it’s a promotion, a project, a skill, or simply showing up with more presence as a leader.

2. Why does this matter to you right now?
This anchors your intention. When the “why” is clear, the “who” becomes easier to identify.

3. Who can help you move in this direction?
This is the heart of the exercise. List three types of people:
• Someone who has already done what you want to do.
• Someone who is doing it right now, just a little ahead of you.
• Someone who believes in you enough to remind you what you’re capable of.

4. What is one small way you can reach out this week?
A message. A coffee. A question. A 10-minute call. Keep it simple. The goal is activity or motion.

5. What support do you want to offer in return?
Mentoring is reciprocal. When you give, you expand your own readiness.

Pick one name.
Reach out within 48 hours.
That’s your next clear move.

You don’t need to have it all figured out to take your next step. You just need to know the direction you want to grow and the people who can help you get there. The leaders who rise are the ones who let themselves be supported, who ask better questions, and who are willing to borrow a little belief until their own kicks in. So take a moment, think about where you’re headed, and reach out to even one person who can walk part of that path with you.

And if you want more tools, conversations, and clarity-driven leadership support, come spend some time with me at DebbiePetersonSpeaks.com. I would love to hear what you’re working toward and how I can help you get there.