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Hi Reader,

I recently learned that one of my earliest project management mentors has passed away. Fred was in his early 90s, and his life was filled with fascinating work, bold projects, and adventures that could fill volumes.

But what I will remember most about Fred is not his resume. It is the steady presence he offered me over the past decade of my career.

Fred was always there. Not to hand me a project management manual, but to listen, to challenge my thinking, and to gently push me toward becoming a stronger, more thoughtful leader.

Find your wisdom

I’ve been fortunate to have many mentors in my career, as I wrote about last week.

Fred, however, had a different style, as all mentors do. He helped me look inward and recognize that everything I needed was already within me. Sometimes we just need the right person to help draw it out. He also reminded me that I wasn’t alone in the challenges of managing the people behind my projects.

He held me accountable. He called me out when I needed it, especially when I was overthinking, overanalyzing, or insisting on always being right. He had a way of grounding me, pushing me to grow while never letting me lose sight of who I was becoming in the project space.

Fred taught me how to tap into my inner strength, the kind we all possess but don’t always know how to access.

For example, back in 2016, he encouraged me to start writing articles like the one you’re reading now. He believed I had knowledge worth sharing. I didn’t listen then, and it wasn’t until late 2024 that I began writing consistently. Once again, he saw my potential before I did.

Reflecting on his impact, I’m reminded of something important. A mentor shapes how you think, how you lead, and ultimately, who you become.

Training and mentoring

I’ve often been asked whether training or mentoring is better. My answer is always both.

Training gives you the skills to do something, while mentoring helps you grow into the person capable of leading it.

In a nutshell, a trainer transfers information; a mentor helps you see your potential.

I’m a fan of combining the two and integrating training within mentoring sessions. This approach lets me transfer knowledge, and then reflect on how to apply it, all in one conversation.

Mentoring is personal and evolving. It is guided by the mentee’s goals, built on trust, and shaped through shared experience.

And over the course of a career, that difference can shape not just what you do, but who you become.

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