S2 Ep 32: Graceful Growth: The Power of Mentors and Feedback with Thompson Dickerson

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Mentoring isn’t just coffee chats and “pick your brain” DMs—it’s a performance accelerant. In this episode, Thompson Dickerson and I dig into why mentoring matters, how to find the right mentor (not just the most famous one), the difference between formal programs and informal “choose-your-own-adventure” mentoring, and the underrated superpower of receiving feedback with grace. Thompson also shares a personal mentoring story that changed her trajectory—and her playbook for keeping mentor relationships healthy, mutual, and results-focused.

Key Takeaways

• Mentoring = speed + safety. You get to skip avoidable mistakes and test ideas with someone who’s been there.
• Right fit > big name. Look for values alignment, relevant reps, and someone who gives feedback (not just stories).
• Formal vs. informal: Formal programs create access and structure; informal mentoring often delivers speed and chemistry. Use both.
• Own the asks. Come to sessions with goals, updates, and a “receipt” of what you tried since last time.
• Feedback is a leadership skill. Ask for it specifically, receive it calmly, and translate it into action fast.
• Close loops. Follow up with what you did and what changed—mentors invest more when they see impact.

Quote from Thompson:
“Great mentors don’t hand you answers—they hand you mirrors and maps. Your job is to walk.”

Resources You Can Use

• Thanks for the Feedback — Douglas Stone & Sheila Heen
• Radical Candor — Kim Scott
• The Coaching Habit — Michael Bungay Stanier
• HBR Guide to Getting the Mentoring You Need — Harvard Business Review
• Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) — Tools & articles on mentoring and feedback
• SHRM Mentorship Toolkit — Templates for formal programs

Episode Extras

• Reflection prompt: What feedback theme keeps showing up? What’s one behavior you’ll test this week?
• Manager challenge: Pair each new leader with a “situational mentor” for their biggest upcoming challenge.

Connect with Thompson Dickerson

• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/thomp7

CTA: If this episode helped, share it with a manager who’s mentoring (or needs one), leave a quick rating, and tell us your best mentoring win—we might feature it on a future episode.

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