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, Luna, you've spent a few years in consulting before making the jump to the media side, right? Luna: Yeah, three years at a big firm. Why do you ask? Lucas: Because I was chatting with a friend who's still in it, and she was complaining about something I hadn't really thought about: how hard it is to find a mentor when you're a consultant. You're constantly at client sites, you're juggling multiple projects, and you're always the 'expert' in the room. It got me thinking, that's a real challenge that doesn't get enough attention. Luna: Oh, absolutely. I remember feeling like I was expected to know everything from day one. Asking for help felt almost taboo. Lucas: Right. So today, let's dig into that. How does a consultant actually find a mentor when your 'office' is wherever the client is? And what does a good mentoring relationship even look like in that world? Luna: I think the biggest thing is to not wait for a formal program. You have to be proactive, which is ironic because you're already proactive for your clients. Lucas: Exactly. And one of the most underutilized resources? Your firm's alumni network. I know when I was at a Big Four, there was this whole alumni directory, but people rarely used it for mentorship. Luna: That's a good point. Those people already know the firm's culture, the pressures, the travel. They've been there. And they've moved on, so they have a broader perspective. Lucas: But reaching out cold to an alum can be awkward. What's your advice on making that first contact? Luna: I'd say don't ask for mentorship right off the bat. Ask for a specific piece of advice, like 'How did you navigate your first year as a manager?' or 'What's the best way to approach a difficult client?' That's much easier for someone to say yes to. Lucas: That's a smart play. It lowers the barrier to entry. And once you have that conversation, you can nurture it into something more regular. Luna: Yeah, and if it's a virtual coffee, make it a recurring thing. Most people are happy to help if you're genuinely interested in their insights. Lucas: Another angle: your current project team. We often overlook the partners and senior managers we work with daily. They see your work ethic, your problem-solving, your client interactions. That's a natural mentoring ground. Luna: But it's tricky. You don't want to seem like you're sucking up or asking them to evaluate you outside the performance review. Lucas: Right. So the key is to frame it as learning, not as a favor. You can say, 'I really admired how you handled that negotiation. Could we grab fifteen minutes to talk through your approach?' That's not asking for a mentor; it's asking for insight. Luna: And it's more likely to land because it's specific and timely. Lucas: Absolutely. And here's a concrete tactic that I think is underused: use the project retrospective as a mentoring moment. After a big project, sit down with your project lead and ask for feedback on what you could have done differently. It's a structured way to get the kind of honest feedback that's often missing in day-to-day work. Luna: That's smart. And it's low-pressure because it's already a part of the project lifecycle. You're just turning a process into a developmental conversation. Lucas: What about mentors outside your own firm? I mean, a client could be a great mentor, but there are also professional associations, industry conferences, even online communities. Luna: I think having a mentor outside your firm is valuable because they can give you an unbiased perspective on your career, especially if you're thinking of leaving consulting someday. But with clients, I'd be careful — there's a conflict of interest issue. It's probably not a good idea to ask a client to be your mentor while you're billing them. Lucas: That's a crucial point. But after you've left a client engagement, could you maintain a relationship and ask for advice? It's a gray area, but I've seen it work. Luna: Yeah, as long as you're not on the engagement anymore, it can be fine. But you have to be clear that it's personal, not professional. Otherwise, it can get messy. Lucas: And what about formal mentorship programs within your firm? Do they actually work? Luna: Some do, but they're often hit or miss. The problem is they're often top-down, and you might get paired with someone who's not a great fit. My advice is to still use them as a starting point, but also supplement with your own proactive outreach. Lucas: So, let's talk about a real challenge: as a consultant, you're constantly traveling. How do you maintain a mentoring relationship when you're never in the same city for more than a week? Luna: I think the key is to schedule it like you would a client meeting. You can set up a recurring virtual call every month or every other week, and treat it with the same importance as a project deadline. It's about consistency, not frequency. Lucas: And in my experience, mentors appreciate that you're being deliberate about your development. It shows a level of professionalism that they can respect. Luna: Exactly. And if you're in the same city, try to meet in person. A coffee or a walk can be much more personal than a video call. Lucas: Now, one thing we haven't touched on is the fact that consultants are often seen as the experts. That can make it hard to admit you need guidance. How do you get over that mental barrier? Luna: It's a real ego check. But I think the best consultants are the ones who are always learning. You have to reframe asking for help as a strength, not a weakness. It's about being curious and wanting to improve. Lucas: And that's a great mindset to bring to your mentor relationships. Instead of just asking for advice, you can say, 'Here's a problem I'm facing. I've tried this and that, but I'm stuck. Any thoughts?' That's respectful of your mentor's time and shows you've done your homework. Luna: That's a good approach. It turns the conversation into a problem-solving session rather than a vague career chat. Lucas: And that's one of the things I love about this show — it's practical. We're not just talking about big ideas; we're giving people concrete tools they can use the next day. And that's why it's so rewarding to hear from listeners who've applied something they learned here to their own careers. Luna: Absolutely. And if you're finding value in these episodes, you can help us keep making them by supporting the show at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. It's a simple way to say thanks and keep the podcast ad-free. Lucas: Yeah, every little bit helps, and we appreciate every single one of you who's ever considered it. But let's get back to the consulting world. We've talked about mentors within your firm, but what about mentors in your industry but at a different company? Someone who's a few steps ahead of you in their career. Luna: Those can be incredibly valuable. They can give you insights into other firms, other ways of doing things, and they're a great sounding board for 'Should I stay or should I go?' questions. Lucas: And how do you find those people? I mean, you're not going to meet them at a client site necessarily. Luna: LinkedIn is an obvious place, but I've also had luck with industry conferences and webinars. You can reach out to someone who gave a talk you found interesting, and ask a question about their presentation. That can be the start of a conversation. Lucas: And there's something to be said for finding a mentor who comes from a completely different industry altogether. A consultant could learn a lot from a mentor in tech or healthcare, just in terms of different problem-solving approaches. Luna: That's a really good point. Sometimes the most transformative advice comes from someone who isn't steeped in your own culture. They can challenge your assumptions in a way that a consulting mentor might not. Lucas: So, to wrap up, what's the one thing you'd tell a consultant who's listening right now and feels stuck in their quest for a mentor? Luna: I'd say start small. Don't try to find 'the one' mentor. Instead, build a network of advisors. Ask for specific advice from a few different people, and see which relationships feel natural and become more regular. Lucas: That's a nice way to frame it. Mentorship isn't one grand relationship; it's a patchwork of insights and guidance. And as a consultant, you have a unique advantage: you meet so many different people. Use that. Luna: Yeah, you're already networking all the time. Just be intentional about turning those connections into something deeper. Lucas: And those are the practical steps. But it also requires a mindset shift: seeing yourself as a learner, not just an expert. Once you do that, the doors open. Luna: And it's a skill that will serve you well even if you leave consulting. Learning how to seek guidance is a career-long superpower. Lucas: Well said. So, go out there, reach out to one person this week, and start that conversation. Who knows where it might lead. Luna: And until next time, keep climbing.