On a recent episode, he shared a story about the first time he had appeared on The David Letterman Show early in his career.

As Jason recalled, it was at the beginning of his interview with David when Jason said something unkind about someone in his family. The audience roared with laughter.

When they cut for a commercial break, David leaned over to Jason and said off-mic, “Here’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to re-introduce you. You’re going to come out, and we’re going to cut that career-canceling comment you just made.”

Jason: What? Which part?
David: You remember when you called such and such a such and such?
Jason: But the audience loved it!
David: You’re not going to love it. We’re going to redo the top.

David’s mentoring moment saved Jason from inevitable regret and repercussions.

Jason didn’t ask David for mentoring. And David could have let Jason suffer the consequences of his actions. But based on David’s years of experience in the public eye, David intervened to prevent Jason from making an irreparable mistake.

David was not compelled by a personal agenda or self-interest. His mentoring moment was borne out of generosity and wisdom.

How can you create mentoring moments that are met with gratitude and make an impact?

1. Redirect.
When you see someone in harm’s way, help them pivot. This is what David Letterman did.

2. Share a Story.
Stories entertain, educate, and influence indirectly. “I remember when I was [in a similar situation], and here’s what happened to me.”

3. Nudge.
Using positive reinforcement and suggestions, we can influence behavior. “Here are two options you might consider.”

4. Role Model.
Through our own actions, we mentor others.

5. Make a Connection.
“Do you know Mary? She’s working on something similar. You might find value in connecting.”

6. Recommend a Resource.
“I found a book/article/podcast that has made a difference for me professionally.”

7. Offer Advice.
“May I share some unsolicited advice based on what I’ve heard? Take it or leave it.”

When we pause to consider, “How can I make a difference right now using my experience and perspective?” mentoring moments appear.

And, in an instant, those mentoring moments can powerfully extricate, influence, and contribute. 

© 2023. Ann Tardy and MentorLead. www.mentorlead.com. All Rights Reserved.

Undeterred, they sent their script to Robin Williams, knowing he would lend credibility and talent to their film.

Robin loved it but asked his friends, “Who are these guys?”

Someone mentioned that Francis Ford Coppola was working with Matt, so Robin called his friend Francis.

At the time, Francis was directing Matt in the movie The Rainmaker, and based on that experience, he vouched for Matt, “He’s a great young actor. You should work with him.”

Relying on Francis’ endorsement, Robin joined the film, which then encouraged the studio executives to proceed with Matt and Ben in the lead roles. After its release, Robin won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, and Matt was nominated for Best Actor.

And it started when Francis sponsored Matt. 

Sponsorship seems enormously influential and impactful! So, why don’t we skip mentoring and focus on sponsoring?

• Because sponsorship stands on a foundation of mentorship.
• Because Francis Ford Coppola would not have staked his reputation on Matt without the earned trust from a mentoring relationship.
• Because mentors sponsor their mentees by opening doors.

Francis managed and mentored: he knew Matt’s work, understood his aspirations, and experienced his integrity. Francis felt confident endorsing Matt.

Mentoring: sharing advice, perspectives, ideas, resources, encouragement, hope, and validation.
Sponsoring: pitching mentee for an opportunity or a new role; opening a door; backing, supporting, promoting, advocating, or endorsing.

Understandably, mentoring can feel mundane compared to the sultriness of sponsoring.

• Mentoring requires an investment of time, energy, and engagement.
• Sponsoring happens in a conversation.

But to expect someone to sponsor you without first having a mentoring relationship is irresponsible and disrespectful.

Do you have to wait for your mentor to sponsor you? No!

Assuming you already have a trusting relationship, you could ask your mentor to recommend you for an opportunity you’ve identified. Mentors want to make a difference, and with your sponsorship request, they can amplify their impact.

Sponsoring is how mentors become super mentors!

© 2023. Ann Tardy and MentorLead. www.mentorlead.com. All Rights Reserved.

I was at my nephew’s youth soccer practice when the coach initiated a game of Rock Paper Scissors to see who would be up next to practice kicking to the goalie.

Suddenly, the boys were shouting, “Dynamite beats rock!” “Sword beats dynamite!” “Handgun beats sword,” and “Lava beats handgun!”

Dynamite? Sword? Handgun? Lava? This isn’t the game I grew up playing! What happened to the rock, the paper, and the scissors?

I asked the boys, who quickly informed me that the game had been updated. They delighted in teaching me the new rules.

I was being mentored by 6-year-olds.

And more than introduce me to a new game, they reminded me to:

• be open to the joy of change
• experiment
• play outside the 3-weapon box
• reconsider other assumptions and expectations
• pay attention to the new kids on the block

When I was young, I never considered changing the game… but they did! (Move over Gen Zs, Gen Alpha is on your heels!)

Where else are we missing novel approaches by playing with outdated rules? 

For example, when we assume that mentoring only occurs in a 1:1 relationship or that a mentor is always someone senior in age or career path, we are playing Rock Paper Scissors. 

One of our mentoring program leaders recently shared her struggle to recruit enough mentors for her incoming cohort of new nurses. After we decided to use group mentoring, she expressed distress over aligning the schedules for the participants in each group every month.

I proposed, “We’re assuming that people must always be in the same group. What if we instead form new groups each month around whoever can participate that day? If the goal is to offer them a champion as they transition into practice, we could offer them a community of champions!” 

And with that shift in thinking, we added Dynamite Sword Lava to the game. (Kudos to our client Lisa who was willing to experiment!) 

The longer we play a game, the more entrenched we become in the rules of that game. 

But by engaging in mentoring conversations – with 6-year-olds or colleagues – we discover fresh perspectives and ideas and the permission to think differently. 

© 2023. Ann Tardy and MentorLead. www.mentorlead.com. All Rights Reserved.

In one scene, the pastry chef, Marcus, blows a fuse at the restaurant while mixing cake batter, forcing the staff to scramble furiously to salvage the lunch service and a freezer of food.

After the chaos subsides, Carmy finds Marcus remorseful and soul-crushed, sitting on the sidewalk in the alley behind the restaurant.

Carmy says to Marcus: You alright?

Marcus: I screwed up. I was behind on cakes. I tried to speed it up, and I blew the fuse.

Carmy: This job’s insane. 

Marcus: Yeah

Carmy: It can go from chill to unchill in a second, but you gotta stay ahead on your work. That’s just that.

Marcus: Heard.

Marcus: You know, my first job was at McDonald’s. You don’t get to be creative. You just work with robots. And everything’s automatic – fast and easy. 

Then he promises Carmy: I won’t make a mistake again.

And this is when Carmy shifts from managing to mentoring.

Carmy: Yeah, you will. But not because you’re you. Just ‘cause stuff happens.    

Pausing reflectively, Carmy then shares: I started a fryer fire the night after I won Food & Wine’s Best New Chef. Nearly burned the place down.

Marcus: For real?

Carmy: For real. This weird thing happens. You have this minute where you’re watching the fire, and you’re thinking, ‘If I don’t do anything, this place will burn down, and all my anxiety will go away with it.’

Marcus: And then you put the fire out.

Carmy: And then you put the fire out.

Effortlessly, Carmy shifted from manager to mentor to peer. How?
He:

• Connected on a mutual experience: “This job is insane.”
• Communicated expectations: “You have to stay ahead on your work.”
• Demonstrated empathy and encouraged self-compassion: “You’re going to make a mistake again, and that’s ok.”
• Validated Marcus while revealing his own vulnerability: “I did something similar.”
• Acknowledged a shared commitment: “You put the fire out.”

Without ceremony, Carmy exhibited the art of partnering with people in pursuit of a passionate endeavor, making the inevitable grit gratifying.

Anyone can set job expectations and get angry when unmet expectations wreak havoc.

But it takes a manager who mentors to grab those moments that demand meaningful conversation.

© 2023. Ann Tardy and MentorLead. www.mentorlead.com. All Rights Reserved.

For centuries, a small group of workers called “Sampietrini” has been preserving Saint Peter’s Basilica, the world’s oldest church located in Vatican City, Italy.

But today, there is a noticeable shortage of skilled stonemasons, restorers, and craftsmen. Why? The artisans are aging and retiring. Preparing for this inevitability was a bit neglected.

The Director of the Sampietrini stressed, “It’s urgent that young people learn to look after the Basilica because there’s no one left who knows how to do it.”

So, the Vatican turned to mentoring to tackle this problem.

In April, it launched the Artisan Academy, a program matching young apprentices with skilled workers from the Sampietrini who are guiding and teaching the new generation how to care for the ancient treasures and keep the Basilica standing and shining.

In a time of technology-seducing careers, the Director was admittedly worried that kids would be disinterested in learning the craft.

But when the inaugural class opened, 20 students from around the globe eagerly sought the unpaid internships. Why? The privilege.

As apprentice Javier’s Santiago Mandao from Germany said, “It’s wild to work in the same place as iconic artists like Michelangelo” and “It comes with great honor. I feel a responsibility.” 
[Click here to read “The Why Before the Who”] And what about the Sampietrinis? Why are they mentoring this new generation, sharing their secrets to maintaining the grandeur of the Basilica? The pride.

As Sampietrino Paulo Ballestra reflected, “They [the apprentices] are pulling off some beautiful work. And they give us that extra motivation. It’s so satisfying to see what they have achieved in just six months and for the world to see it when they walk through St. Peter’s.”
[To read why Jimmy Fallon ascribes to “Root for People,” click here] So what can we glean from the launch of the Artisan Academy?

• Succession is unavoidable and requires action
• It is never too early to be intentional and strategic
• Preparing for it is everyone’s responsibility, regardless of job or level
• Mentoring is a cost-effective, actionable solution

Although, the most important insights in this story are found not in the execution of the Academy but in the experiences revealed by participants:

• Privilege fuels mentees
• Pride fuels mentors

But it’s their shared passion that is paramount to building the bridge needed for knowledge transfer.

Use mentoring to build that bridge, and your team’s future will be in their hands.

© 2023. Ann Tardy and MentorLead. www.mentorlead.com. All Rights Reserved.

1. Your life isn’t a one-act play.
“Not only is it okay to change your mind, reinvent yourself, or have a second career, it can be a good thing.”

2. You’re never too smart to be confused.
“…the first step to learning something new is leaning into what you don’t know instead of focusing on what you do know.”

3. Gravitate toward work that solves a problem.
“…spend your days doing something that solves a big problem – it energizes you to do your best work. It forces you to be more creative and gives your life a stronger sense of purpose.”

4. Don’t underestimate the power of friendship.
“When I was in school, I became friends with Paul Allen – and we started Microsoft together.”

5. You are not a slacker if you cut yourself some slack.
“…there is more to life than work. Take time to nurture your relationships. To celebrate your successes. And to recover from your losses. Take a break when you need to.”

But peppered into this sage advice, Gates shared a reverence for mentoring.

He suggested that we learn best from others who are a little further along than us – mentors!

Gates expounded, “Find smart people to learn from. It could be:

• a colleague with more experience
• one of your fellow graduates who has a good perspective and will push you to think differently
• an expert in the field willing to reply to your questions over DM.”

Gates revealed that almost everything he accomplished happened because he sought out others who knew more than he did – mentors!
[Are you mentor-able? Find out! Read “The Secret to Finding a Mentor“]

“People want to help you. The key is not to be afraid to ask. Your fellow graduates are your network – your best sources of support, information, and advice.”

And he’s right! According to research by Stanford University social psychologist Xuan Zhao, people feel good – even happy – when they can help others.
[Are you ready to help when someone asks? Read “How to Mentor in 3s“]

And then Gates concluded his remarks with, “The only thing more valuable than what you walk offstage with today is who you walk onstage with.”

And if graduation is a distant memory, consider… the only thing more valuable than what you stand up is whose shoulders you stand on in the process.

© 2023. Ann Tardy and MentorLead. www.mentorlead.com. All Rights Reserved.

During that time, she bore witness to their vulnerability. 

In her words, “Everybody that I had on the show, at the end of the show, whispered to me something like, ‘Was that OK?’”

She reflected, “What people were really saying was: ‘Did you hear me, did you see me, and did I say anything that mattered?’”

And that’s an essential role for mentors – help mentees feel validated.

What does it mean to feel validated? To be accepted. To affirm that we didn’t embarrass ourselves and that we met expectations.

Sometimes, however, mentees might feel invalidated if we inadvertently:

• dismiss their concern. “Nah, don’t worry about that!”
• sidestep their idea: “Yes, but…”
• ignore or diminish their aspiration: “Are you sure you want to do that?”
• talk over them, earnestly sharing advice!

So what? Well, if we neglect to help our mentees feel validated, we risk being unable to influence and mentor them.

Validation fuels contributions and compassion. It creates psychological safety for our mentees, allowing them to explore and grow while it strengthens our humanity.

How can mentors help mentees feel validated? Intentionally.

• Connect: “I felt the same way when I transitioned roles.”
• Be curious: “Interesting. Tell me more.”
• Confirm: “That makes sense!” “I understand.”
• Explore: “Yes, and…”
• Acknowledge: “Great work – you really made progress!”
• Engage: “What was that like?”
• Take notes. Reflect back: “What I’m hearing is…”
• Mirror their emotions: “That sucks.” “That’s exciting!”
• Encourage: “You’ve got this!”

Even United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby deployed validation in a message he sent to all employees this week.

After a recent barrage of weather-related flight cancellations, Kirby expressed his gratitude for “the incredible work” they did “under unprecedented challenges.” He acknowledged, “I know it was very tough on each of you.” And then he ended with, “But I want you to know that I’m proud of you.”

We all share a deeply-rooted need to feel validated, to be seen and heard, to know that we matter.

In the Zulu tribe, “sawubona” is the most common greeting. Translated, it means, “I see you, you are important to me, and I value you.” 

© 2023. Ann Tardy and MentorLead. www.mentorlead.com. All Rights Reserved.

• Forget it and focus on winning the game
• Worry about making more mistakes

Unfortunately, Rory seemed to choose the latter.

He lost the tournament by one stroke! Golf commentators wondered aloud if Rory was trying too hard ‘not to lose’ instead of playing to win.

Conversely, while the winner, Wyndham Clark, made numerous mistakes on the golf course, he remained poised and centered, playing like a man destined to win.

Holding the trophy, Wyndham told a reporter, “I worked so hard and dreamed about this moment for so long. I just felt like it was my time.”

Similarly, during the recent French Open tennis tournament, Novak Djokovic’s opponent was leading after the first set. Novak won by creating a Momentum Shift.

Novak advises young people: “Be in the present moment, forget what happened in the past. If you want a better future, create it.”

Momentum Shift
Typically, it starts with a mistake followed by a decision.

• That decision changes your thinking and feeling, positively or negatively,
• which impacts your sense of control, confidence, optimism, and energy,
• which obstructs or bolsters your momentum,
• which transfers dominance from or to you.

We lose (or create) momentum when we lose (or create) focus.

Famous comebacks are borne out of Momentum Shifts, as evidenced by the New England Patriot’s Super Bowl 38-26 win after entering the fourth quarter 25 points behind the Atlanta Falcons.

Whether you’re delivering a presentation, leading a team, or interviewing for an opportunity, you can create a Momentum Shift:

• Notice if you’re dwelling on mistakes, fearful of making more mistakes
• Stop ruminating on what you should have done differently
• Avoid over-analyzing your performance
• Place psychological distance between any error and your next move
• Glance, grow, and go – you can glean insights and learn from mistakes, but only if you stay in action
• Identify visual and internal cues that help you perform well
• Create your future with those performance prompts

When one of his players chastised himself for a mistake, Jason Sudeikis’ character Ted Lasso advised, “You know what the happiest animal on Earth is? It’s a goldfish. It has a 10-second memory. Be a goldfish, Sam.”

© 2023. Ann Tardy and MentorLead. www.mentorlead.com. All Rights Reserved.