Latest / The Career Mentor Podcast with Fexingo: Finding Mentors, Sponsors, and Career Advisors / How to Find a Mentor When You Are a Consultant
Transcript
- Lucas: So, you're a consultant. You're smart, you're driven, and you've probably got more billable hours than you know what to do with. But when it comes to finding a mentor, you're stuck. Today we're going to talk about why that happens and what you can actually do about it. Luna: And I think we should start by acknowledging that consultants have a unique problem. They're constantly on the move, switching teams, switching clients. It's hard to build a long-term relationship when you're always the new person. Lucas: Exactly. And the traditional advice — 'go find a mentor in your org chart' — doesn't really work when your org chart changes every few months. So let's talk about a different approach, one that leverages the very nature of consulting. Luna: Are you talking about turning clients into mentors? Lucas: That's part of it, but let's not jump ahead. The first thing to understand is the difference between a sponsor and a mentor, which we've covered before, but for a consultant, the line gets even blurrier. A sponsor at a client site might be the person who advocates for you getting the next project, while a mentor is someone who gives you career advice even when there's no project on the table. Luna: Right. And you can't just ask a client to be your mentor. That's a weird power dynamic. Lucas: Exactly. But you can build a relationship that naturally leads to mentorship. Let's say you're a strategy consultant working with a Fortune 500 company. The CFO might be impressed with your work. Over time, you have coffee, you ask about their career path, you show genuine curiosity. That's a relationship that can evolve into mentorship, but it has to happen over multiple engagements, not just one. Luna: So it's a long game. You can't just expect to land a client and immediately have a mentor. Lucas: Right. And that's where a lot of consultants go wrong. They treat every client as a transaction. They deliver the work, they get the check, they move on. They never invest in the relationship beyond the project. So the first piece of advice is to intentionally build relationships with clients who you might work with again. Luna: And what about internal mentors? I mean, if you're at a big firm like McKinsey or Deloitte, there are thousands of people. How do you find someone who actually cares about your development? Lucas: That's a great question. And one thing I've seen work is leveraging the alumni network. Firms like McKinsey have incredibly tight-knit alumni communities. So even if you leave, you can still reach out to former partners for advice. But even if you're still at the firm, you can connect with people who've gone to other companies — they often have a different perspective. Luna: So, you're saying the mentor doesn't have to be someone you work with directly every day? Lucas: No, and that's the key. For a consultant, the best mentors are often people who understand the consulting lifestyle but are now outside of it. They've been in your shoes, they know the pressures, and they can give you advice on what comes next. Maybe they moved into industry, maybe they started their own firm. Their distance is actually an advantage. Luna: That's a great point. So let's talk about the practical steps. How do you actually find these people? Lucas: Step one: make a list of everyone you've worked with — clients, managers, peers — and rate them on two dimensions: do they know your work, and do they care about your career? The people who score high on both are your potential mentors. Then reach out to them, but not with a generic 'can you be my mentor?' message. Instead, ask for specific advice on a specific question you have. Luna: That's a good approach. It's less intimidating for them, and it shows you respect their time. Lucas: And step two: tap into your firm's formal mentorship program if they have one. But don't just take the assigned mentor. Go to the partner who you've seen give great feedback in meetings, and ask if you can have a thirty-minute conversation about your development plan. More often than not, they'll be flattered. Luna: And what if you're an independent consultant? You don't have a firm behind you. Lucas: That's a different challenge. For freelancers and solopreneurs, the mentor pool is less obvious. But you can join professional associations, attend industry events, even reach out to former bosses from your corporate days. The key is to be proactive and not wait for mentorship to come to you. Luna: We should also mention that sometimes mentors come from unexpected places. Like, I've heard of a consultant who found a mentor through a volunteer board position. Lucas: That's a great example. Serving on a nonprofit board can connect you with executives who see your leadership potential in a different context. It's not about the billable hours, it's about how you show up in the community. Luna: And that's a reminder that mentorship is about more than just advancing your career. It's about building relationships that are mutually beneficial. Lucas: Exactly. And that brings up something important: you should always be thinking about what you can give back, even to a mentor. Maybe you can offer a fresh perspective on a problem they're facing, or help them understand a new technology. It's a two-way street. Luna: So, let's say you've found a potential mentor. How do you approach them without sounding like you're asking for a career handout? Lucas: It's all about the framing. Instead of saying 'I'd love you to be my mentor,' say something like, 'I've always admired how you handled the merger with that tech company. I'm working on something similar, and I'd love to hear your thoughts.' That's an invitation to share expertise, not a demand for a long-term commitment. Luna: And if they're receptive, you can gradually make it more formal. Like, 'Would you be open to grabbing coffee every few months?' Lucas: Exactly. And it's important to set boundaries. As a consultant, you're used to being available 24/7, but your mentor might not be. So schedule the meeting, put it on the calendar, and respect their time. That's how you build trust. Luna: That's a good point. And speaking of trust, we should acknowledge that there's a lot of free content out there on career advice. I know I've personally benefitted from watching our episodes on similar topics. Lucas: Absolutely. And if you've found value in what we're doing here, you can support the show by buying us a coffee. It's a simple way to keep this podcast ad-free and helps us keep creating content that digs into these practical career questions. Luna: Yeah, if you've ever gotten a tip that helped you in your career, consider supporting us at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. It's a small gesture that goes a long way. Lucas: And we really appreciate it. Now, back to the topic at hand. We've talked about finding mentors, but how do you maintain the relationship when you're constantly traveling? Luna: That's a real challenge. You might be on a client site in another city for months, and then suddenly you're back at the office. Lucas: Right. So you have to be intentional about staying in touch. Send brief updates, share relevant articles, ask for advice on a small decision. It doesn't have to be a big time commitment, but it keeps the relationship alive. Luna: And what about when you're between projects? That's often when you need the most guidance. Lucas: That's actually a perfect time to reach out. You can say, 'I've got some downtime, and I'd love to get your perspective on where I should take my career next.' Mentors are often more available when they know you're not in the middle of a fire. Luna: So, to sum up, the key is to be proactive, think long-term, and leverage the unique access you have as a consultant. Lucas: And remember, mentorship is not about finding someone who gives you all the answers. It's about having a sounding board, someone who asks you the right questions. As a consultant, you already have the analytical skills. A mentor helps you apply them to your own career. Luna: That's a nice way to put it. So, what's one thing you'd tell a consultant who's listening right now and feeling stuck? Lucas: I'd say, start with one person. Pick someone from your past, someone you respect, and reach out with a specific question. Don't overthink it. The worst they can say is no. Luna: And if they say yes, you're on your way. Lucas: Exactly. So, whether you're a new consultant or a seasoned pro, take that first step today. Your future self will thank you.