Fuel for the Fire: Why Curiosity Matters as a Mentor
As I prepare for my upcoming BizWomen Mentoring Monday experience, I am reminded of all the times mentorship has shaped my professional career. I have spoken before about how I once thought mentorship was unnecessary and how some inspiring women proved me wrong along the way. While those women continue to inspire and encourage me, I now have the privilege of passing down many of their lessons and wisdom to the next generation of women professionals.
Being a mentor does not mean dedicating your life to someone’s career path as a business coach. That was one of the biggest misconceptions I had about mentorship — the perceived time commitment and role. Instead, a mentor serves more as an advisor: listening deeply, empathizing, asking thoughtful questions, and fostering growth. Mentorship is about recognizing the potential in someone and helping them see it for themselves.
I am a naturally curious person and am often teased for playing 20 Questions with everyone I meet. But my curiosity comes from a genuine place — a desire to learn about each person I talk to: how their history shaped them, what motivates them, and where they dream of going. This curiosity, I’ve discovered, helps lay the foundation for strong mentorship relationships. I’ve never had someone explicitly ask me to be their mentor, just as I’ve never formally asked someone to mentor me. Yet, over the years, many people have told me about the guidance I’ve provided or the thoughtful questions I’ve asked that helped them move forward. Not because I set out to change lives, but because I’m naturally curious.
Curiosity has allowed me to uncover glimpses of people’s potential that might not come up in a job interview or even in casual conversations. I see pieces of their potential that they may not have discovered yet. These insights become opportunities to explore further, discuss openly, and inspire growth.
Many mentors take a more direct approach by offering clear feedback and specific instructions. I like to take a different path! I lead by example, ask open-ended questions, imagine scenarios, and wonder aloud. Neither approach is inherently better; one may simply align more with a particular mentee’s needs or personality. That’s the beauty of mentorship — finding the right person and approach that complements your own. Different approaches to mentorship allow you to form a relationship built on shared values, trust, understanding, and respect.
What kind of mentor are you? How does your mentoring style reflect your communication and working preferences? Whether you lead through curiosity, directness, or something in between, mentorship is a dynamic, rewarding process that has the power to shape lives — including your own.
