Mentorship: The Current That Carries Us Forward
Mentorship is learning from and teaching to
Before starting Monture Partners, I had the opportunity to build a bamboo fly fishing rod. Not like something from a store that you put pieces together; it was built in the same way that it was invented—hand split bamboo cane, meticulously measured, hand planned, glued. Start to finish, it was probably close to 70 hours of focused work. Not something that I ever really thought I would do, but it was something that I was privileged to have the opportunity to learn from a great master in this art. This same master was also the one that was with me the first time I went to Monture Creek and he help me first attempt to fly fish (and yes, I caught one under his watchful eye!). I have learned so much from him, and in turn, have passed along snippets of what I learned to others along the way.
That moment was a clear reminder: mentorship isn’t just about guidance—it’s about unlocking potential, testing limits, and sharing what we learn. At Monture Partners, mentorship is more than a value—it’s a practice woven into every client relationship.
Seeking a Mentor: Cultivating Growth
Throughout my 25 years consulting across industries, the smartest move wasn’t the biggest project—it was working alongside someone wiser, more experienced.
Context matters. What worked in retail may not land in tech. A mentor fast‑tracks learning through war stories and playbooks, saving clients from avoidable pitfalls.
Perspective matters. Mentors offer honest reflections: “What are you missing?” they ask. Those insights sharpen strategies and outcomes.
Momentum matters. A good mentor pushes—gently but firmly—helping you raise the bar a little higher with every engagement.
At Monture Partners, this isn’t theoretical: we actively seek out mentors, whether jumping into a client office or picking up the phone to talk with peers from past assignments. It’s how we bring relationships, not just deliverables, into every engagement.
Paying It Forward: Mentoring the Next Generation
Mentorship is a two‑way street.
Fresh eyes bring fresh thinking. I love bringing in a diverse mix of perspectives into the project for the exact point of looking at challenges differently. This practice is a direct result of my roots in consulting – I came into the Big 4 firm as an ‘experienced hire’ rather than a trained consultant (direct hire from college), and was able to instantly bring a different point of view to projects that moved us forward more effectively.
Legacy builds culture. Mentoring is part of my DNA. I don’t just deliver projects; I am invested in your people; we’re nurturing leaders.
Programs benefit too. By teaching what I’ve learned—from prior clients, industries, and mistakes—I don’t just meet today’s expectations; I elevate tomorrow’s.
The Business Value of Mentorship at Monture
Mentorship isn’t a soft, feel-good add‑on—it’s central to my value proposition
Deep Relationships: Shared journeys build trust—leading to stronger partnerships and future work
Accelerated Learning: Bringing external insights lets us keep open minds and deliver better outcomes
Elevated Capability: Clients gain institutional knowledge—not just a one-off solution
Scalable Growth: My approach ensures new team members quickly adopt best practices
When Monture Partners is hired for a key deliverable—program launch, interim leadership, or strategic planning—the process isn’t just about checklists:
On Day One, I seek out client leaders who can mentor me—teaching me the nuances of their culture, history, aspirations.
As we work, I share insights from prior projects: what’s worked, what hasn’t, who to call, where to look.
I identify emerging talent in the client organization and invite them onto the journey—co-creating solutions, inviting feedback, pushing their thinking.
We don’t just leave behind a slide deck or report; we leave behind new capability—new curiosity—and a group of people ready to go further.
Embrace the Current
Mentorship—on both sides—is not optional. It’s the current that carries us forward, from who we are today to who we can become tomorrow. It is not about just solving problems. We build relationships, cultivate learning, and accelerate potential—for everyone!