25/01/2026
The most expensive thing a mentor gives you isn't their advice. It’s their time.
When you finally get a seat at the table with a powerful industry leader, the instinct is to show up with a basket of needs. You want answers, referrals, or guidance.
But if you arrive empty-handed, you are wasting the appointment.
A meaningful conversation is an exchange, not a transaction.💯
Even if you are the junior person in the room, you must bring currency to the table to be seen as a contributor, not just a fan.
To position yourself as a valuable asset, shift your mindset.
Don't ask: "What should I do?" (You are stressing them trust me 🤷♀️).
You should be mentioning your options at this stage with research and if possible statistics to show you did some work already.If you are sensitive and pause for a bit you will notice you have lost them already. 😉
The goal isn't just to take value from the table; it's to ensure the table is richer because you were there.
Here is the pre meeting checklist I recommend to never show up empty-handed.
➡️The "Context" Check. Have I read their latest work, annual report, or interview?
➡️The "Hypothesis" Check
Am I asking them to create a strategy for me, or critique one I’ve already built?
➡️The "Ground Floor" Check
What unique insight from my daily work or customer interactions can I share that they might not see from the C-Suite?
➡️The "ROI" Check
Is my ask specific enough that they can say "yes" or "no" in 10 seconds?
Do bear in mind as we start the year 2026, that adding value doesn't just get an audience,you get invited back or forgotten forever.
