Successful People You Didn’t Know Were Mentored

1. Mark Zuckerberg -Steve Jobs 

What is the quickest way to become successful? Learn from one of the most successful people in the world. This was the case for Mark Zuckerberg when Steve Jobs took an interest in the Facebook CEO’s business ventures. 

I know it might come as a shock that a billionaire was mentored by a fellow billionaire such as Steve Jobs but this is a prime example of mentoring at its finest. Jobs took Zuckerberg under his wing early on in Facebooks development and was instrumental in making the company what it is today. 

Jobs believed in Mark Zuckerberg and they shared a mutual admiration for each other. Zuckerberg described their bond as “deeper than breaking bread with President Barack Obama.” 

When the mentorship came to an end with Job’s passing Zuckerberg took to his personal Facebook account to publicly thank Jobs for his guidance over the years.  “Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend. Thank you for showing that what you build can change the world. I will miss you.” Even the most powerful of minds need help and guidance to reach their full potential. 

2. Bill Gates – Warren Buffet 

Bill Gates is another example of an extremely successful man recognising and surrounding himself with people from who he can learn.

 As a tribute to his mentor and friend Warren Buffet, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, Gates spoke fondly of their relationship in a speech for Buffet’s 90th birthday “of all the things I’ve learned from Warren, the most important thing might be what friendship is all about.”

Although Bill and Warren remain close friends Gates has been very open about turning to Buffet as a mentor for advice and guidance over the years as Gates has always respected and admired Buffet, describing him as “one of a kind”. 

3. Richard Branson – Sir Freddie Laker 

“If you ask any successful business person, they will always have had a great mentor at some point along the road”  – Richard Branson.

 Branson sought his mentorship from none other than British airline entrepreneur, Sir Freddie Laker. During his struggles to get Virgin Atlantic up and running Branson found support and guidance from Laker which helped ensure the success of the now multimillion-dollar company. 

Branson simply wouldn’t be where he is today without Laker as a mentor. ‘It’s always good to have a helping hand at the start. I wouldn’t have got anywhere in the airline industry without the mentorship of Sir Freddie Laker.’

At the beginning of his business venture Branson had a very small advertising budget and if it hadn’t have been for Laker’s words of wisdom Virgin Airlines may never have become a success. Sir Freddie today Branson to “use yourself. Make a fool of yourself. Otherwise, you won’t survive.”As a result, Branson became the face of Virgin Airlines decreasing the advertising costs, Branson says this one piece of advice influenced his entire approach to business. 

Branson recognises the power of a good mentor and attributes much of his company’s success to his mentorship with Laker. 

As you can see even the most successful and powerful people turned to a mentor for support and guidance in the early days of their career to make their businesses the success they are today. In the words of Russell Simmons, the key to success is to “surround yourself with people who are smarter than you.” 

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