How do you find a good mentor? | Dhwani Mehta | TEDxRWA Youth
Mentorship is a potent, intangible asset that illuminates one's path, offering wisdom and encouragement, as demonstrated by Master Oogway's words to Po and Mike Markkula's support for Steve Jobs. Finding mentors requires looking for people who ask deep questions, remaining receptive to knowledge, and recognizing that a mentor can be anyone, not just a prominent figure. Ultimately, the speaker emphasizes that while a mentor guides the way, the transformation remains the individual's responsibility. ## Speakers & Context - Speaker is sharing insights on the value and pursuit of mentorship. - The speaker concludes by stating they are themselves a traveler on the journey to finding a mentor. ## Theses & Positions - Mentorship is an intangible, potent asset that is transformational and a powerful motivator that yields immeasurable results. - A mentor illuminates one's path to success and provides wisdom, guidance, and encouragement, propelling personal and professional journeys. - Finding a mentor is challenging, but the potential is limitless. - The first step to finding a mentor is identification: looking for people in one's community who ask deep, thoughtful, and incisive questions. - To receive mentorship, one must open oneself up to knowledge and wisdom, ensuring one's "cup is not already full." - A mentor does not need to be a wealthy or prominent figure; it can be a senior guiding college applications or a friend encouraging new experiences. - The transformation resulting from mentorship is ultimately the individual's responsibility. ## Examples & Cases - **Po and Master Oogway (Kung Fu Panda):** Oogway imparts the insight, *"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. But today is a gift. That is why it is known as the present,"* which encourages Po to take a leap of faith, cultivate peace, and persist rather than settling for a monotonous life. - **Mike Markkula and Steve Jobs:** Markkula, one of Apple's first angel investors, possessed a vision for Apple, believing in the potential of the Apple II and Jobs's capabilities; his mentorship extended beyond finance, leading to the drafting of an early business plan and hiring the first CEO, which helped Apple reach an IPO valuing the company at $1.8 billion in the 1980s. - **Speaker's personal journey:** The speaker stumbled upon the lesson that mentors can be less formal—like a college application guide or a friend—rather than famous achievers. ## Mechanisms & Processes - **Mentor's role:** To provide words of affirmation, knowledge, and encouragement that allow the mentee to take a "leap of faith," make life-altering decisions, and realize full potential. - **Mentor identification:** Looking for people who ask deep, thoughtful, and incisive questions to guide reflection and perspective shifts. - **Receiving guidance:** Actively embracing constructive criticism and feedback without hesitation. ## Named Entities - **Master Oogway** — Mentor in the *Kung Fu Panda* narrative. - **Po** — Giant panda character who receives mentorship from Oogway. - **Mike Markkula** — Angel investor and mentor to Steve Jobs. - **Steve Jobs** — Co-founder of Apple. - **Apple** — Company that grew into a Fortune 500 company. - **Apple II** — Computer model that Markkula believed in. - **iPhone, iPad** — Products whose success is attributed to Markkula's belief. ## Numbers & Data - Apple growth: Emerged as a Fortune 500 company in merely **five years** under Markkula's guidance. - IPO valuation: Apple was valued at **$1.8 billion** in the **1980s**. ## Concepts & Definitions - **Mentor:** An experienced and trusted advisor; a guiding beacon who illuminates the path to success. - **Mentorship:** An intangible, potent asset that can be transformational; yielding immeasurable results and imprinting a lasting impact. - **The Present:** Defined by Oogway as the time that *"is a gift"* (contrasted with history/yesterday and mystery/tomorrow). ## Timeline & Sequence - **Timeline of Po:** Starts by grappling with identity $\rightarrow$ Receives Oogway's insight $\rightarrow$ Cultivates peace/confidence $\rightarrow$ Works diligently $\rightarrow$ Avoids forfeiting chance to become Dragon Master. - **Timeline of Apple:** Seed investment by Markkula $\rightarrow$ Crafting business plans/hiring CEO $\rightarrow$ Soaring to IPO in the 1980s. ## Examples & Cases - **The failure case (Po):** Without Oogway's guidance, Po might have surrendered and retreated to a simple and monotonous life at the noodle shop. - **The financial/corporate success case (Jobs/Apple):** Markkula's belief allowed Apple to become a Fortune 500 company, which wouldn't have happened without his involvement. ## Conclusions & Recommendations - The speaker recommends looking for people who ask deep questions, staying open to learning, and recognizing that mentorship comes in many forms, requiring the individual to drive the transformation. ## Verbatim Moments - *"A mentor is an experienced and trusted advisor, a guiding beacon who illuminates your path to success."* - *"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. But today is a gift. That is why it is known as the present."* - *"Mike Markkula... possessed a vision for Apple that none could fathom at the time."* - *"If you’re holding an iPhone or an iPad today, that is thanks to Markkula’s belief."* - *"a mentor doesn’t have to be some wealthy and prominent figure with a long list of achievements."* - *"Remember, the transformation is your responsibility."*