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Mentorship is often hailed as the key to career advancement, but it’s not always as simple as it seems. Too often, mentees expect mentors to do the heavy lifting, giving them answers and guiding their every step. But in reality, mentorship is a two-way street that demands active participation and responsibility from both parties.
In this episode, Amy Salcido, President of Kyndryl U.S., shares her playbook on what makes mentorship truly work. With over 16,000 employees under her leadership, Amy reveals how mentorship played a pivotal role in her own rise to the top and why the best mentorships are built on authenticity, mutual growth, and proactive engagement.
If you’ve ever struggled with making mentorship work for you—or want to improve the way you approach it—this episode will show you the way forward.
Rethinking Mentorship in Today’s Workplace
Today, mentorship can sometimes feel like an extra responsibility to take on. But Amy Salcido argues that this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, the key to successful mentorship lies in active, authentic participation from both the mentor and the mentee.
One of the biggest misconceptions she addresses in this episode is the idea that mentorship is about getting all the answers from a mentor. Instead, it’s about guidance, perspective, and empowerment. For mentorship to truly be effective, mentees must take ownership of their growth and be proactive in shaping the relationship.
Listen to the episode here on Apple Podcast & leave a review!
Actionable Strategies for Mentorship Success
1. Mentees Must Take Responsibility
Amy makes it clear: the mentee is the one who drives the relationship. Too often, mentees sit back and expect their mentor to take charge, but this approach rarely leads to meaningful growth. Instead, Amy stresses that mentees should come prepared with specific goals, ask thoughtful questions, and actively engage in finding solutions. It’s about showing up with intention and being ready to learn, rather than passively waiting for a mentor to give you the answers. The more effort you put into the relationship, the more rewarding it will be.
2. Authenticity Fuels Leadership Growth
A turning point in Amy’s career came when she embraced authenticity in her leadership style. Showing up as your true self isn’t just important for your personal growth—it’s essential for building trust with your team and mentees. Amy’s own leadership success is rooted in the ability to be authentic and transparent with those around her. When leaders bring their real selves to work, it creates an environment where people feel safe to be themselves, too. This type of leadership encourages vulnerability, fosters deeper connections, and strengthens mentorship.
3. Focus on Passion, Not Titles
One of the most common mistakes people make in their careers is chasing job titles rather than focusing on what they’re truly passionate about. Amy believes that the best mentorships help people explore what excites them and aligns with their strengths, rather than just following a prescribed career path. Passion, she says, is a much stronger motivator than any title. When mentees focus on the work they love—rather than the next job or promotion—they create a career path that is both fulfilling and sustainable.
4. Mentorship is a Two-Way Street
Amy emphasizes that mentorship is not a one-sided relationship. Mentors should not be expected to hand out answers like a roadmap. As much as mentees should drive the relationship, mentors should also guide mentees by asking the right questions and challenging their thinking. A good mentor helps mentees think critically, approach problems from different angles, and find their own solutions. The best mentorships are built on mutual respect and trust, where both parties learn and grow from the relationship.
5. Create Safe Spaces for Mentorship
Effective mentorship thrives in environments where mentees feel safe to express their challenges, ask questions, and seek guidance. Amy’s work at Kyndryl emphasizes the importance of inclusion networks—safe spaces where mentorship can thrive organically. These networks provide opportunities for employees to connect with mentors, share experiences, and build relationships in a comfortable, supportive environment. Whether formal or informal, creating these spaces in any organization is key to fostering strong mentor-mentee relationships.
Listen to the episode here on Apple Podcast & leave a review!
Wrapping It Up: Why These Strategies Matter
Mentorship shouldn’t be a passive experience, but an active partnership. For mentorship to work, both the mentor and mentee must engage wholeheartedly in the relationship.
Mentees must take responsibility for their own growth, come prepared to ask the right questions, and embrace their authentic selves.
Mentors, in turn, should focus on guiding and challenging their mentees rather than simply giving them the answers. This approach leads to deeper, more meaningful connections and ultimately stronger leaders.
The best mentor-mentee relationships don’t happen by accident—they’re cultivated through intention, engagement, and authenticity. If you’re ready to take your mentorship to the next level, be sure to listen to the full episode where Amy Salcido dives deeper into these strategies and more.
Listen to the episode here on Apple Podcast & leave a review!
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