11 Ways Influential Mentors Shape Professional Success

This comprehensive guide draws from seasoned mentors who have mastered the art of professional influence and leadership. Industry experts share actionable strategies that range from aligning your strengths with opportunities to creating memorable experiences that resonate with others. The collective wisdom presented offers clear, practical approaches to developing conviction-based leadership and embracing creativity at the right moment.

• Choose Bravery Over Perfection In Leadership
• Create Memorable Moments People Talk About Forever
• Carve Your Own Path Beyond Perceived Guardrails
• Align Your Interests With Your Natural Strengths
• Create From The Heart With Precision
• True Creativity Stems From Curiosity And Empathy
• Honor Commitments With Calm, Clear Communication
• Empowering Others Through Consistent, Conviction-Based Leadership
• Master Few Opportunities That Move The Needle
• Embrace Your Creative Demon At Right Time
• Build Great Teams Not Just Great Products

Choose Bravery Over Perfection In Leadership

One of the most transformative voices in my journey is Reshma Saujani, Founder of Girls Who Code. Her TED Talk, “Teach girls bravery, not perfection,” lit a fire in me — not just personally, but as a leader building a global movement. For too long, women have been conditioned to play it safe. To wait until we’re 100% qualified, perfectly prepared, and fully polished before we even consider raising our hands. But perfection keeps us small. Bravery scales impact.

That message became a turning point — the moment I stopped waiting for permission and started stepping into rooms I once thought were out of reach. It’s also the message I now carry forward in everything I do — through WomenTech Network and Chief in Tech, through every keynote, and every woman I mentor: If we want to change who leads in tech, we have to change what we teach girls — and women — about leadership. We need to stop rewarding perfection and start celebrating courage.

Create Memorable Moments People Talk About Forever

In my early days as an aspiring magician, the person who first exposed me to the world behind the curtain was my uncle. He taught me the tricks of the trade, literally, but he also taught me how to command attention, create suspense, and ultimately deserve awe. The moment that sticks with me the most, however, has nothing to do with performance. He said, “It’s not about tricking them; it’s about creating a moment they want to talk about forever.”

That transition in focus, from merely impressing to engaging, has been applied ever since. Whether I am performing magic, producing a film, or running a team of my own, it’s the transformation of the experience in reception that takes precedence. As a result, every subsequent project has been shaped by that sentiment.

You can explore how I implement this sentiment in my work at https://RandyCharach.com

Carve Your Own Path Beyond Perceived Guardrails

I didn’t know how to apply my college degree to a career in the late ’90s. So, I temped for a while and found a career in office administration. Eventually, I got stuck and didn’t know how to break through to the next level in my career.

My first real professional mentor said to me, “carve your own path.” I was so focused on my experience at the time, and advertised jobs for which I wasn’t qualified, that I neglected to consider the possibility of pivoting into a role that I could create for myself. That advice inspired me to found my first startup in the early 2000s.

I completely transformed myself from being stuck in an administrative position I didn’t enjoy, to launching a company and eventually pivoting into a digital marketing career that lasted 20 years. When you feel stuck, think about how you can redefine the rules. Carve your own path instead of staying within perceived guardrails.

Align Your Interests With Your Natural Strengths

The best career advice I ever received was from a former manager: “When your interests meet your strengths, that is your passion.” This has had a lasting impact on my professional life because it not only reminds me, but also my career coach clients, to understand how interests and strengths need to intersect to be fulfilled. Sometimes an individual can be good at something and lack interest, as well as be interested in something but it is not a natural strength. I’ve found people tend to thrive when both align, which is why I look after this for myself, as well as encourage my clients to define what this looks like for them.

Create From The Heart With Precision

My grandmother has been my most significant influence throughout my life. She worked as a seamstress in the Soviet Union while showing me through her actions that women can create beauty through handwork regardless of circumstances or limited resources. She used to advise me to never create anything unless it comes from the heart. The words she shared with me have remained in my mind. The process of creation infuses our intentions into every piece we make, which people can sense through touch.

When I created my first lingerie design, I thought about her sewing methods, which involved precise fabric cutting for both proper fit and sensual touch. I apply this method to all my work today. The design must both function properly and communicate a subtle message to the woman who chooses to wear it.

True Creativity Stems From Curiosity And Empathy

The most influential person I looked up to in my career was Luigi Schober, former CEO of Y&R Austria. During my time as a trainee and later as a brand consultant under his guidance, I learned lessons that went far beyond what is taught at university. Luigi was always genuinely interested in people, not just companies, and he showed me how understanding human stories and motivations is key to building meaningful brands. One piece of advice that has stayed with me is his belief that true creativity comes from curiosity and empathy, not from chasing trends. That mindset continues to shape how I approach every project and client today.

Honor Commitments With Calm, Clear Communication

The most influential person in my career was my father, James Knauss, who passed away this past year. His profession as a Master Electrician was a far cry from the Chief Information Security Officer role I ended up in, but the gap between our fields didn’t matter. He taught me three critical lessons that formed the very essence of who I am, both as a person and as a leader in cybersecurity.

The first two lessons were foundational pillars of character and professionalism. First, be honorable; if you make a promise or a commitment, you must honor it at all costs. This principle of unwavering integrity is non-negotiable. Second, he taught me that “being on time is being late,” instilling a habit of always showing up five minutes early. This simple act demonstrates respect, readiness, and a commitment to not wasting the time of others.

Finally, the third lesson was about temperament and impact: never raise your voice. He taught me that the easiest voice to hear and understand is the soft, measured one. In a high-stress field like cybersecurity, this lesson has been invaluable. It taught me that true strength in leadership comes not from volume, but from clarity, calm, and the unshakeable reliability he exemplified. These three principles are the bedrock of my professional life.

Empowering Others Through Consistent, Conviction-Based Leadership

SFC Timothy Hepler.

He was my platoon sergeant while I was stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. My primary role was IT, but SFC Hepler represented something far more important than just technical leadership. He was the kind of leader who inspired growth, who saw potential in others and made it his mission to draw it out. Watching him lead with conviction, consistency, and a genuine passion for developing junior soldiers changed the way I saw leadership. It made me want to be part of building organizations that empower people, not just manage them. That was the spark that eventually led me into HR and into the business of shaping cultures that support growth and development.

I lost touch with him after I separated from the military, but not a day goes by that I don’t think about the impact he had. His leadership helped shape my mindset, my values, and my career path.

Master Few Opportunities That Move The Needle

The most influential person in my career has been my first mentor in digital marketing. Early on, he taught me that strategic focus always beats hard work without direction. One piece of advice that stuck with me was: “Don’t chase every opportunity, master the few that actually move the needle.”

That lesson has shaped every decision I make in business.

Whether I’m scaling an eCommerce brand, launching a course, or advising clients, I consistently ask: Will this action create measurable impact?

It’s allowed me to prioritize effectively, avoid wasted effort, and consistently achieve results that compound over time.

Embrace Your Creative Demon At Right Time

I was three-and-a-half years old when George Orwell died, and like many writers who followed him, I learned from his words. I worked for other people, always remembering this quotation from the essay “Why I Write”: “Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.” The demon didn’t possess me until around my 78th birthday, and I had my first book out in time for my 79th, with more following. I’m glad the demon didn’t catch up with me before I had the maturity to handle it and to enjoy being possessed.

Build Great Teams Not Just Great Products

The person I’ve admired most in my career is Mr. Dilip Manek, founder of Expert App Devs. His vision and leadership have shaped not only my professional journey but also the growth and culture of our whole company. One of the best pieces of advice given to me is, “Success is not about building great products, but it’s about building great teams.”

Watching him always inspires me as well as our team; we have learned to stay grounded in values and focus on long-term relationships. Under his mentorship, I have learned that genuine leadership is about motivating others to grow and become the best version of themselves, and that’s what I carry forward every day.

More at Presence News:

5 Tips for a Memorable Podcast Interview That Keeps Listeners Coming Back

Four Pieces of Advice High School Graduates Wish They Had Known