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Unlocking Potential: Mentoring the Next Generation of Leaders and Innovators
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In this episode of The Tech Trajectory Podcast, host Chris Davies sits down with Alex Young to explore the transformative role of mentorship in leadership and career development. As a mentor, industry fellow, and innovation leader, Alex shares insights on fostering meaningful mentor-mentee relationships, the importance of self-awareness, and how mentoring can shape not only individual careers but also entire organisations.
1. The power of mentorship in leadership
[02:06] The best mentoring advice Alex ever received and why indirect guidance is often the most impactful.
[03:16] Mentorship isn’t always formal—sometimes, the most valuable lessons come from small, casual conversations.
[05:28] Why Alex dedicates time to mentoring and how it has shaped his perspective as a leader.
2. Lessons from being both a mentor and a mentee
[08:20] How Alex’s first mentor influenced his approach to leadership and ethical decision-making.
[10:50] Why mentorship matters most at the start of a career—helping people who "don’t know what they don’t know."
[14:43] The importance of vulnerability in leadership and how sharing failures fosters a culture of learning.
3. The difference between mentorship and coaching
[19:56] Coaching vs. mentoring: What’s the difference? Coaching is goal-driven, while mentoring is an open-ended journey.
[23:08] What separates a great mentor from a good one—why real mentors care beyond structured sessions.
[27:16] The best mentees are open-minded, proactive, and committed to applying what they learn.
4. Future-proofing leadership in the age of AI
[33:36] How AI is shifting the value of technical skills, and why leadership is about human connection, creativity, and vision.
[36:33] Remote mentorship—how digital transformation has changed how we connect and learn.
[37:49] Where to start if you want to become a mentor, from university programs to startup accelerators.
5. The one piece of advice Alex would give his younger self
[30:11] Say “yes” more often—how taking chances can shape your career in unexpected ways.
[41:17] If mentorship could be summed up in one word, it would be "enriching"—for both mentor and mentee.
Where to find Alex Young
- LinkedIn: Alex Young
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