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What You'll Learn
In this episode, I'm joined by my co-host Carly Malatskey to explore how great mentors identify patterns that most people miss. Through 6 real listener questions, we decode the hidden patterns keeping leaders stuck and provide tactical frameworks to unlock your next career move.
How mentors use pattern recognition rather than generic advice or endless context-gathering to create breakthrough moments
Why most mentorship falls short by providing therapy or shooting solutions before understanding patterns
How unlocking key patterns even once every few years can lead to exponential career growth
How to determine if organizational chaos is normal or a red flag
When to wait out problems vs. when to make a career move
The psychological patterns that hold high-performers back despite positive feedback
How to recognize if you're growing faster than your company can accommodate you
Techniques to balance humility with career advancement
Key Takeaways
1. Great mentors help you see if you're solving the wrong problem
Sometimes what's blocking your career isn't the obstacle you think it is. The most valuable thing a mentor can do is help you ask, "Is this even the right problem to solve?" before you waste energy on ineffective solutions.
2. The "are you actually stuck?" question
Many professionals pound away at problems that may be unsolvable in their current environment. A good mentor helps you determine if you should persevere or recognize that "anyone in your position would fail" - freeing you to pursue more productive paths.
3. Time prioritization reveals your true values
When you "can't find time" for career development despite knowing its importance, the real pattern is struggling to prioritize long-term investments over immediate demands. The solution isn't better time management but reconsidering how you value your time.
4. Waiting it out is an underrated strategy
Not every organizational problem needs immediate action. Great mentors help you identify which challenges will naturally resolve in the next six months versus which ones require intervention - saving your political capital for battles that matter.
5. "What's broken might be normal" perspective
Early-career leaders often panic when joining companies with significant challenges. Skilled mentors contextualize whether the chaos is appropriate for the company stage and help you see that fixing these problems might be exactly why you were hired.
6. Recognize when you're outgrowing your environment
Sometimes excellent performance reviews without promotion indicate you're growing faster than your company. Great mentors help you determine when it's time to find an environment that can match your growth trajectory.
7. Balance humility with confidence
Many high-achievers (especially women) hold themselves back through excessive humility or negative self-talk. Effective mentorship involves identifying when patterns that served you well earlier in your career are now preventing you from taking necessary risks.
8. The "board of directors" mentorship approach
Rather than seeking one perfect mentor, build relationships with multiple people who each offer different perspectives. This creates a more complete picture of your situation and provides diverse pattern-matching capabilities.
Where to find Nikhyl:
Where to find Carly:
Find The Skip:
In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) How to spot patterns
(01:08) How to find and then become a mentor
(10:57) Scaling mentorship
(15:09) How to heat seek around patterns
(21:47) Question 1: How can I break through organizational barriers?
(22:29) Pattern 1: Are you actually stuck?
(30:05) Question 2: How can busy leaders stay technically up to date?
(30:28) Pattern 2: If you know what you should do, why aren’t you doing it?
(42:48) Question 3: How to navigate change?
(43:14) Pattern 3: Do you need to work on this problem, or just wait it out?
(52:23) Question 4: How normal is chaos in early stage companies?
(52:54) Pattern 4: Broken might be normal, and you were hired to solve problems
(61:07) Question 5: My performance reviews are excellent, but why am I not being promoted?
(61:41) Pattern 5: Are you growing faster than the company?
(67:35) Question 6: Should I take a leadership role that I don’t feel ready for?
(68:29) Pattern 6: Are you too humble or negative?
(73:23) Key takeaways and summary
(77:57) How to get in touch with Nikhyl
Don't forget to subscribe to The Skip to hear me coach you through timely career lessons. If you’re interested in joining me on a future call, send me a note on LinkedIn, Threads, or Twitter. You can also email me at nikhyl@skip.community
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