The headlines are clear: AI is disrupting entry-level jobs across industries, including consulting and professional services. There's just one problem. Eliminating these roles overlooks a critical business need-your pipeline of next generation leaders. The rush from pyramid to diamond workforce models is short-sighted. In the pyramid model, you grow leaders from the ground up. In the diamond model, you cut the base and bet on later-stage talent to carry the weight.
Recent research suggests that the influence of good mentoring goes way beyond improved vocational performance, although it certainly does that. Good mentors help mentees to feel safe, supported, and seen through feedback (both positive and critical) and other cues. This is how effective mentorship contributes to a sense of psychological safety. Mentees also enjoy a stronger sense of belonging and community, which is why having a good mentor is especially important early in our careers.
I was in the Marines while I was in undergrad and 9/11 happened, so I did a tour in Iraq. When I left the military, I entered the public sector and started working for the Department of the Treasury in 2006. In 2008, the financial crisis happened, and I raised my hand to be on the Tiger team, without knowledge about finance or economics.
Early in my career, I was fortunate to cross paths with a mentor who changed how I saw design-and myself. He ran a small studio whose influence reached far beyond its size. He led with a quiet confidence and quick wit, showing how intelligence and humility could coexist in the creative process. I was passionate about the craft, but there was still so much more to learn about the tools.
That, however, prompted concerns about his return, along with what kind of attitude he might bring to the locker room. Those were certainly valid, considering how he went about getting traded from the Vikings and the Bills. But none of that has been an issue so far since he arrived in Foxboro, and he continues to prove his value to the team beyond his impressive performances, particularly with his leadership.
In today's evolving workplace, leaders have a powerful opportunity to attract and inspire the next generation of talent by embracing a strategy that's both timeless and essential: mentorship. Once relegated to the realm of "nice-to-have" Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, mentorship has emerged as a core business strategy and a lever for growth, employee retention, and technological innovation. When done right, it doesn't just change lives, it drives organizational ROI.
Ray Dalio has unveiled "Digital Ray," an AI clone designed to share his decades of investing and life experience with the public. The Bridgewater Associates founder said the chatbot-currently in beta-will allow him "unlimited conversations" with users seeking coaching or mentorship. Dalio claims the model, trained on data from his work and principles, performs about 95% as well as speaking with him directly and 80% as well on markets and economics.
Harry Kane helped me a lot," Tel began (Telegraph Football via @iMiaSanMia). "Four days ago, he sent me a voice note, and we spoke together about how I can be better, about finishing, positioning in the box. He told me 'Whenever you want to call me, just call me. We're going to talk together and try to find what is the best work for you.'
A decorated amateur golfer and former outstanding ice hockey player, John had an incredible sports career that began under the tutelage of the legendary Olympic hero and ice hockey coach, Herb Brooks at the University of Minnesota. After a brief stint in professional hockey, he turned his passion to golf, winning numerous amateur titles and representing the United States in four Walker Cups.
Relationships define success: not just between real estate agent and client, but among colleagues and across teams. At The Agency, where I lead a team spanning numerous generations from Baby Boomers and Gen X to Millennials and Gen Z, I've learned that generational diversity can be a powerful competitive advantage, especially when managed intentionally. Each generation is shaped by unique cultural and economic moments, which brings both invaluable advantages and distinct life experiences to the table.
Bet on Winners: Dimon helps people who've earned his respect and trust, whether it's hiring people like Miller at multiple companies or advising Duckett during her inaugural year as CEO of TIAA. That instinct isn't limited to women: Wells Fargo's Charlie Scharf comes to mind. Dimon says he's guided by performance, not gender or loyalty. To do otherwise, in his view, is a disservice to the team.
Relationships are so important for us to succeed in all capacities of life, from personal to academic to work. Schwartz et al. (2018) found that college students who were more socially engaged had an easier transition to college life and higher GPAs. Workplace friendships strengthen knowledge-sharing behavior (Wang et al., 2024). Meaningful engagement with others leads to more opportunities for success for us, and this is why we should be seeking multiple mentors to guide and support us in all of our goals.
I think that in Madrid, he is the number one, he is the reference player of Madrid who has done a lot of things," added Mbappe of the 40-year-old, who continues to score goals on a regular basis for Portugal and club side Al-Nassr. "People, even today, dream of him and all the things he has done. "I want to chart my own path and I hope that people will dream of me in the same way, which could be a historic moment for me.
've been exploring digital marketing lately and noticed that many online courses focus more on theory than actual practice. I'm looking for suggestions or resources that help beginners work on real projects, gain hands-on experience, and get guidance from experts. It would be great to know about any communities, mentorship programs, or platforms where learners can practice SEO, Google Ads, and analytics on live projects. Any recommendations from your experience would be really helpful!
Watching how Wilson Smith and Tate Kuebris poured into the next generation of designers was nothing short of inspiring. Having developed the first accredited sneaker design degree in the U.S., SCAD continues to set the bar for how deeply creative education can connect to industry practice. SNKR Culture Week serves as an open door for students to walk directly into the world they dream of joining.
I'm where I am today because I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me, and I strongly believe in paying it forward. A good mentor listens, provides honest feedback, and helps you see opportunities beyond your current path. In security, mentorship is especially vital because so much of the profession is shaped by experience, judgment and context.
Scott Borgerson was born in 1978 in Essex, Maryland, a small town on the Chesapeake Bay. His father worked at the Bethlehem Steel plant in Sparrows Point until it shut down. His mother was a nurse at Franklin Square Hospital. Scott's story begins in a household where hard work was non-negotiable. "My dad put in long shifts at the mill, and my mom cared for people in the hospital. That shaped how I see work-show up, do your part, and do it right," he says.
I was still at Hoffenheim, but my transfer had already been announced, when I received a message from Joshua Kimmich. He got my number and simply texted me. He said that when he joined Bayern, he hadn't played a single Bundesliga game yet - and yet he still believed he could make the move. And that he believed I could do it too. He said he was happy and believed in me. At that moment, I got goosebumps, having been given so much trust in advance,
With its mission statement talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not', the charity supports thousands of young people aged 16 to 30, providing the resources, networks and support needed to unlock their potential and helping them pursue careers in industries where representation is still lacking. Its Building Futures programme, which focuses specifically on increasing diversity in the built environment, is now celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Her expertise lies at the intersection of data-driven insights and creative storytelling, enabling her to build marketing engines that not only acquire customers but foster lasting brand loyalty. Throughout her career, Suha has guided a diverse portfolio of clients, from fast-growing SaaS startups to established consumer goods brands, helping them navigate complex market dynamics and achieve significant digital transformation.
I also plan on retiring someday, and I'm guessing I'm not the only senior developer who plans on doing that. In fact, I feel very confident saying that 100% of senior developers will, one way or another, stop coding at some point. Now, math is hard, I know, but it seems incandescently obvious to me that to be a senior developer, you must first be a junior developer, and if there are no junior developers, then we'll eventually run out of senior developers.
HADDONFIELD, New Jersey -- Jeff Holman, a tennis coach and high school counselor, has inspired generations of students at Haddonfield Memorial High School since 1976. Holman, who played tennis in high school himself, began coaching the girls team in 1976. Two years later, he started coaching the boys team as well. Since then, he's held that role for the better part of a half-century.
Her daughter was my bridesmaid, and after we emigrated when she was a teenager I became a distant mentor cheering on her ambitions and inviting her to spend a post-uni gap year using our home as a base. She has a great independent streak and quickly found her feet, and became close with my own children, some of whom now live near her in the UK. We all get together regularly when I visit each summer.
Lately, my inbox has been flooded with emails from prospective Ph.D. applicants. What I notice is that nearly everyone is motivated, but not everyone is well-prepared. As a first-generation American, I still remember the shock of my sophomore year in college when I learned that I needed to start building research experience early to even be considered for competitive programs.
Langley's professional journey began with the challenges common to many young attorneys: finding the right path and making decisions under pressure. Early in his career, he accepted a position out of law school that was not a good fit for him. The experience taught him valuable lessons about patience, self-trust, and the importance of gathering all relevant information before making significant decisions. Those insights shaped the way he has approached his career ever since, emphasizing careful consideration and self-awareness over haste or external pressures.
Headed into his 16th season - the days of Temple adding value with his on-court play are behind him, but he can still provide value on the sidelines, and in the locker room. With there being a bevy of young players on the Raptors roster such as Ja'Kobe Walter, Gradey Dick, Jonathan Mogbo, and Collin Murray-Boyles, Temple has ample opportunity to guide new players.
I was at a function recently where a former student and research assistant (twenty some years ago) was being recognized as a new board member for my university. I was thrilled for her and made my way over at the end of the evening to congratulate her. We caught up briefly and then she said something that stunned me. "When I worked in your office as a graduate student, I helped on the research for your articles and books about women expatriates."
"HIM," a sports-horror thriller directed by Justin Tipping and produced by Jordan Peele's Monkeypaw Productions, uses football as a vehicle to explore themes of power, obsession and mentorship gone wrong. Marlon Wayans stars as the fictional, legendary quarterback Isaiah White and former Florida State Seminole walk-on wideout Tyriq Withers brings authentic football experience to the role of his protégé, Cameron Cade. The movie pushes beyond jump scares to ask a deeper question: What happens when the pursuit of greatness turns terrifying?
"I try to kind of go and call people up for an hour at a time," he told Fortune Editor-in-Chief Alyson Shontell on-stage during a live recording of the Fortune 500: Titans and Disruptors of Industry podcast. "If I can just get their advice on AI or marketing or sales, learn just a little bit, ask them who they've learned a lot from in particular fields and just kind of jump from person to person, that's been very helpful."
Technology is changing faster than ever, and IT teams need to keep learning new skills to stay ahead. But many IT managers are going about training their people all wrong. They're throwing money at the wrong things, frustrating their employees, and not achieving any real results for their businesses. Here are five common mistakes that are sabotaging these training efforts before they even get off the ground.
New American Voices is AD's annual list spotlighting the most important emerging names in interior design. For our AD PRO readers, we're pulling back the curtain to see how these talents (comprising nine designers and seven firms) got to where they are today. Their paths vary widely-some trained in formal design programs, others took less traditional routes-but together they offer a candid look at the realities of building a practice.
There are few places on Earth that feel more creatively supportive than the Ouray Film Festival, a gorgeous mountain setting where creators come together to support each other's visions. The team behind the annual June event are launching their own filmmaker lab: The Ouray Filmmaker Sabbatical. It's designed to give creators space from the hustle and bustle of the industry in places like New York and Los Angeles, a safety net that's "designed to give filmmakers pace to recharge and rethink."
You have two main choices when it comes to learning day trading: You can learn by doing, or get a teacher. Teaching yourself - in other words, making all the mistakes yourself - is a really costly way to do it, in time, money, and stress. I recommend that you stand on someone else's shoulders and at least avoid many of the mistakes they made.
