Mentorship has always mattered to me in a way that goes deeper than job titles or career ladders. Being neurodivergent, I had to navigate this industry differently — not worse, not better, just differently. I didn’t always fit the mould, and I didn’t always learn the way others expected me to. What got me through wasn’t a perfect system or a polished development plan. It was the rare moments when someone took the time to guide me, to explain something properly, or simply to believe I could do it. Those moments changed everything.
That’s why mentoring isn’t just a professional interest for me — it’s personal. I’ve had the privilege of upskilling people who went on to find their stride, their confidence, their calling. Not because I had all the answers, but because I showed up. Sometimes that meant being in the office. Sometimes it meant jumping into Discord. Sometimes it meant a quiet conversation that planted a seed at exactly the right time. Mentorship isn’t about location; it’s about presence.
And this is where I think the conversation around “office vs remote” misses the point. Yes, being together has value. You can’t replace the subtle learning that happens when you’re around experienced people. But young professionals aren’t growing in isolation. They’re already collaborating, already building, already learning in ways that feel natural to them. Leaders don’t need to abandon the office — they just need to be willing to step into those spaces too.
For neurodivergent minds especially, the right environment can make all the difference. Sometimes that’s a quiet room. Sometimes it’s a digital space where ideas flow faster than small talk. Sometimes it’s simply knowing that your mentor understands you learn in your own way.
To me, mentorship is about meeting people where they are, not where tradition says they should be. It’s about creating moments where confidence can take root. It’s about recognising that leadership isn’t a place — it’s a behaviour.
And when leaders and young professionals genuinely learn from each other, without ego, without expectation, something powerful happens. People grow. Teams strengthen. Futures open up.
That’s why mentorship matters. It’s not an extra. It’s the work.