The Mentors Behind the Legends You Admire

A conversation I had after posting my mini-book about Career Development for young professionals made this post possible. Quite often, people need to see how useful mentorship has been over the centuries to appreciate what it can do in their lives. And it’s the reason why if you’ve ever explored career advice, you’ve likely encountered one recurring theme: get a mentor.

Mentorship is more than just guidance, it’s a powerful, often transformative relationship that shapes careers, and even destinies. At its core, mentoring is about one person sharing knowledge, skills, and experience to help another grow.

But here’s what many forget: even the world’s most iconic figures, those considered self-made geniuses or industry pioneers, often had someone guiding them. Behind nearly every legend is a mentor who lit the path ahead. Here are a few mentions that a lot of people would be able to relate with:

Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle

More than 2,400 years ago, Socrates mentored Plato, who then mentored Aristotle. This trio laid the foundational bedrock of Western philosophy. Each thinker advanced the ideas of the one before him, creating a ripple effect of knowledge that still shapes political theory, ethics, logic, and metaphysics today. Their story exemplifies how mentorship doesn’t just elevate individuals, it can transform civilizations.

Christian Dior and Yves Saint-Laurent

When a young Yves Saint-Laurent became Christian Dior’s personal assistant in the 1950s, he stepped into the heart of haute couture. Under Dior’s mentorship, Saint-Laurent learned the delicate balance of artistry and business. He would eventually succeed Dior as head of the fashion house. Later, he said, “Whatever was to happen next, I never forgot the years I spent at his side.” Today, Saint-Laurent’s name is legend, but his legacy is deeply rooted in Dior’s influence.

Warren Buffett and Bill Gates

At first, Warren Buffett and Bill Gates were reluctant to meet. They thought they had little in common. But that meeting turned into a lifelong friendship and mentorship. Gates credits Buffett with changing how he thinks about business, philanthropy, and even time management. “He’s one of a kind,” Gates once said, proof that even visionaries benefit from wise counsel.

Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Mahatma Gandhi

Before he became the face of nonviolent resistance, Mahatma Gandhi was mentored by Gopal Krishna Gokhale, a respected political leader and reformer. Gokhale guided Gandhi’s political development, instilling in him the values of restraint, deliberation, and constitutionalism. Gandhi later called him “a guide and mentor,” crediting him with the early formation of his political identity.

Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI

As Cardinal Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI worked closely with Pope John Paul II for decades. Their intellectual synergy helped shape the Church’s approach to modern challenges. When he became Pope, Benedict said his papacy was “closely inspired” by John Paul II’s. In mentoring, continuity can be just as important as innovation.

Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg

In the early days of Facebook, Steve Jobs took Mark Zuckerberg on walks around Palo Alto, discussing vision, focus, and leadership. Jobs offered not just business strategy but also philosophical insights into product design and company culture. After Jobs’ death, Zuckerberg wrote: “Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world.”

Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung

Sigmund Freud mentored Carl Jung, seeing him as the intellectual heir to his psychoanalytic theory. Their relationship was one of intense intellectual exchange. Though they eventually parted ways over differing views on the unconscious, their dynamic illustrates how mentorship can spark new schools of thought, even when it ends in disagreement.

Benjamin Graham and Warren Buffett

Long before he became a household name, Warren Buffett was captivated by Benjamin Graham’s book, The Intelligent Investor. He studied under Graham at Columbia Business School, eventually working for him. Buffett later said: “I’m 85% Benjamin Graham.” Graham didn’t just teach him finance, he shaped the very philosophy that made Buffett the world’s most admired investor.

Freddie Laker and Richard Branson: Flying with a Mentor

Richard Branson, then a newcomer in the airline industry, turned to Freddie Laker, a pioneer of low-cost air travel, for advice. Branson credits Laker’s guidance with helping Virgin Atlantic survive and thrive. “He helped me turn a dream into reality,” Branson once said.

Thomas Edison and Henry Ford

In the 1890s, Henry Ford worked as an engineer for Thomas Edison’s company. Edison encouraged Ford to pursue his automobile ideas. Their relationship blossomed into a lifelong friendship, and Ford often credited Edison with pushing him to take risks and think boldly.

Larry Summers and Sheryl Sandberg

While at Harvard, Sheryl Sandberg wrote her thesis on women in economics under Larry Summers. He later recruited her to work at the World Bank and then brought her into government when he became U.S. Treasury Secretary. Sandberg went on to become COO of Facebook and a bestselling author, but her trajectory was shaped by the mentorship that began in a university office.

Behind every legend is often an invisible guide, someone who took the time to challenge, nurture, and support their journey. Mentorship is a silent multiplier of success, quietly working behind the scenes to shape the world we see.

So whether you’re looking to be mentored or to mentor someone else, remember: it’s not just a helping hand — it might be the spark that sets a legacy in motion.