In the final installment of the Investing in Yourself series, Shawn Sanford was joinedby her longtime mentor, Lauren Robinson,to discuss the significance of having atrusted mentor. “A mentor is a trustedadvisor, someone who is lovingly honest,”Lauren Robinson shared. “It’s someonewho cares about you enough to share hardtruths. In a world where everyone wants tobe friends, a true friend is someone whotells you what you need to improve upon.”
Lauren emphasized the importance of integrity in mentorship. “Your mentor needs to have integrity and sincerely want you to succeed. As a mentor, I wanted to give back. I’ve always been involved in tutoring, youth development and mentoring both formally and informally. I wanted to be the mentor I never had and invest in future generations.”
Lauren and Shawn’s relationship began organically 20 years ago and has been mutually beneficial. “It’s bilateral; it’s not just the protégé taking. Both of us are benefiting from it,” Lauren explained. She underscored the beauty of witnessing a mentee’s growth and development, expressing her fortune to be involved in Shawn’s journey.
Beyond academic talents, Lauren highlighted the necessity of social, verbal, written communication and interpersonal skills. “We need a trusted advisor to help us navigate work situations, address challenges or build our careers. A mentor can introduce you to people who can help in various areas.” Lauren advised seeking mentors who are already experienced in mentoring others and stressed the value of diverse perspectives. “It’s important to get out of our echo chambers and cultivate constructive relationships with people who are different from us.”
She recommended using career center resources, staying connected with professors and leveraging professional networks like The Annexstad Family Foundation Alumni network. On LinkedIn, young professionals should introduce themselves with a sincere note and request a brief meeting to seek advice, not a job. Lauren’s tips included being respectful of a mentor’s time, preparing questions and following up with a prompt and thoughtful thank-you email. She encouraged mentees to ask for recommendations on people or companies to connect with for growth in their field.
Shawn expressed gratitude for Lauren’s mentorship, highlighting the safe space Lauren created for vulnerability and difficult discussions. “Even when there was conflict, we could disagree and still be okay. The biggest thing is you allowed me to be vulnerable without judgment.”
Lauren found Shawn additional mentors, showing her the importance of having multiple sources of guidance. In turn, Shawn emphasized the value of showing appreciation to mentors, building relationships and understanding the mentor’s “professional love language.”
The mentor-mentee relationship is invaluable for personal and professional growth. A mentor provides honest feedback, introduces new opportunities and supports the mentee’s development.
As Shawn and Lauren’s story illustrates, a trusted mentor is an essential guide on the path to success.Lauren Robinson is a Senior Assistant General Counsel for the American Medical Association. Lauren provides legal and business advice to senior management and staff. She’s experienced in corporate law and governance, corporate transactions, real estate leases, mergers and acquisitions, compliance and ethics. She implements the AMA Code of Conduct, which addresses harassment. Lauren is a graduate of New York University School of Law, the School of Public Service, and Vassar College.