Learning from Others to Lead
Insights from Nathan Broslawsky
Mentorship is a cornerstone of personal and professional growth, especially for leaders navigating the complexities of product, engineering, and design. Nathan Broslawsky, leader of product engineering and design teams in Silicon Valley, attributes much of his growth to his incredible mentors throughout his career. For tech leaders, mentorship is not just about acquiring skills. It is also about learning to think, empathise, and ultimately guide others effectively.
Mentorship for the Win
Nathan’s journey into leadership is a testament to the power of mentorship. Starting as a self-taught engineer, he found himself not only learning technical skills but also embracing product-centric thinking early on. Nathan recalls, "I had a lot of really great mentors along the way, people who were willing to invest in me from very early in my career to today" These mentors helped him navigate the complexities of building consumer products and transitioning from an individual contributor to a leader.
Mentorship played a pivotal role in Nathan’s transition into management. He shares, "I had a really great mentor—he was my manager—who said, 'This is something that I think you would be good at, and with the right investment and coaching, you could excel.'" This encouragement helped Nathan move from leading projects as an individual contributor to leading teams and confidently leaping into management.
Nathan's support didn’t just teach him technical skills; it shaped his leadership philosophy. Mentors helped him understand that leadership is about empathy, about putting oneself in the shoes of the customer, the team, and other stakeholders. Nathan’s experience underscores the value of having someone who can guide, challenge, and inspire. The power is knowing someone sees your potential and challenges you to grow.
Becoming a Mentor
Mentorship isn’t just about receiving guidance; it’s also about giving back. As Nathan advanced in his career, he began to mentor others. He built his teams with the same ethos that guided his development: a willingness to entertain questions, encourage growth, and provide the space for others to learn.
Nathan emphasises the importance of empathy when mentoring others. "If you're going to build products for people, you have to think like them, empathise with them, and embrace consumer-centric product thinking." The same applies to mentoring—understanding where someone is coming from and what they need in their journey is essential. Becoming a mentor is about sharing experiences, providing guidance, and helping others see their potential.
Effective mentorship can also be transformational for the mentor. By mentoring others, leaders often refine their understanding and develop a more profound sense of purpose. The process helps mentors articulate their own experiences and insights, turning them into lessons that others can learn from. It’s an opportunity for growth on both sides—the mentor learns just as much as the mentee.
Removing the Ego
One of the biggest challenges for mentors is removing the ego from the equation. Effective mentorship is not about giving direct instructions or telling someone what to do but guiding them to find their own solutions while sharing advice to accelerate their progress or make their journey safer. Nathan learned early on that the best mentors don’t give orders—they ask questions, listen, and help others reach their conclusions.
Here are a few key tips for being a great mentor without letting ego get in the way:
Ask, Don’t Tell: Instead of giving direct answers, ask questions that lead the mentee to think critically. Questions like, "What do you think are the possible approaches to this problem?" or "How would you handle this situation?" empower mentees to develop their problem-solving skills.
Listen Actively: Being a mentor is about understanding the mentee's needs. Active listening helps build trust and ensures that your guidance is relevant and supportive rather than prescriptive.
Be Vulnerable: Share your own mistakes and what you learned from them. Vulnerability creates a safe space for the mentee to share their challenges openly, knowing that you’ve faced similar struggles.
Celebrate the small victories: Help your mentees see their progress and micro-wins. It often takes an outsider to point out, “You did that really well.”
Avoid Taking Credit: Celebrate your mentees' successes without claiming ownership. Mentorship is about their growth, and recognising their achievements helps build their confidence and independence.
Mentorship is about unlocking potential—both in others and yourself. For leaders like Nathan, it’s not just a tool for developing others but also a way to grow personally, shape culture, and leave a lasting impact.