What if there was a product that could accelerate learning, improve collaboration, and increase retention—all while boosting both top-line growth and bottom-line results?
You’d ask, “Where can I buy this?”
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to buy it. But you do need to install it.
I’m talking about creating a mentorship mindset and culture.
Mentorship isn’t just a feel-good initiative. It’s a proven performance driver. Consider these data points:
- Companies with mentoring programs (formal or informal) saw 18% higher profits than the average.
- 94% of employees say they’d stay longer at a company that invests in learning and growth.
- Among Millennials—who will make up 75% of the workforce by 2025—those who stay more than five years are twice as likely to have a mentor.
With stats like these, the real question becomes:
Why aren’t more sales organizations laser focused on building mentorship cultures?
In my research for my new book, Be The Mentor Who Mattered, I uncovered two common reasons:
Reason #1. “I’m not qualified to be a mentor.”
There’s a myth that mentorship requires a big title, big office, certificate or years of formal training. In truth, mentorship is about passing on hard-earned wisdom. Sales managers and seasoned sales professionals, you’ve lived through the bust and boom cycles of sales. You’ve lost deals and learned. You’ve handled tough prospects and lived to tell the story.
As we gathered mentor stories for the book, one theme came up over and over:
“They listened. They cared. They believed in me.”
That’s mentorship. And I suspect everyone reading this is qualified to do all three.
Reason #2. “I don’t have time.”
You’re right. You don’t have time. No one has time. But people make time for what they value. And mentorship doesn’t always require hours each week or month. It often happens in one conversation or one moment—what I call a mentor moment.
Let me share one of mine.
Early in my career, I worked as an associate for a Sandler Sales franchise. It’s not an easy profession as you are selling to some of best salespeople in the world on reasons to hire you. I was really struggling during my first year, doubting my decision to enter this profession. During a Sandler conference, a top franchisee, John Rosso, noticed my anxiety. He pulled me aside and said:
“Colleen, I want you to change your goal. Instead of chasing ‘yes,’ chase 100 no’s. Because once you hear 100 no’s, you’ll have heard every objection or excuse. You’ll get a lesson learned and know how to be better prepared for future conversations.”
It was a small moment—a single conversation. But it changed everything.
I showed up to meetings less desperate.
I stopped fearing rejection because my goals had changed.
And, I started hearing more “yeses.”
Fast forward and in 2024 I was honored as the #1 Top Global Sales Guru.
Was that achievement because of one mentor moment?
Yes—and no.
It was a collection of mentor conversations over the years that shaped my path.
Now, I’m on a mission to pay it forward, to inspire others to step up and help up.
Because mentorship isn’t just good for the soul.
It’s good for business.
Look up and around. Who could you share some hard-earned wisdom with or lend a show of support? Everyone has something to contribute----everyone.
Let’s spark a Mentor Movement to make sure no one is going it alone.
Good Selling and Leading!
