How Mentorship Can Change Your Life w/ Deborah Heiser (E104)

March 6, 2025

Mentorship isn’t just guidance; it’s a catalyst for growth, creativity, and lasting impact. Regardless of formal qualifications, everyone has the potential to be a mentor, as our unique experiences and insights can inspire and guide others.

Today, we have the privilege of hearing from Deborah Heiser, an applied developmental psychologist, CEO and Founder of The Mentor Project , and author of The Mentorship Edge. Deborah is also a TEDx speaker, a member of Marshall Goldsmith’s 100 Coaches, an expert contributor to Psychology Today, and an adjunct professor.

In this episode, Deborah shares her inspiring backstory and explores the role mentorship plays in fostering creativity. She dives into her research in psychology and discusses some of the positive aspects of aging.Deborah also reflects on the mentors who have shaped her life and how they’ve influenced her journey. Additionally, she offers an inside look at The Mentor Project and shares insights into her book, The Mentorship Edge.

Timestamps:

[01:33] Who is Deborah Heiser?

[04:06] Deborah’s backstory

[10:52] Mentorship in creativity

[15:33] Research in psychology

[25:09] Positive elements of aging

[29:41] Inflection points in emotional development

[32:14] Mentors in Deborah’s life

[41:38] The Mentor Project

[50:39] Deborah’s Book

[59:13] Greatest challenge

[01:03:30] Closing remarks

Key Takeaways:

It takes creativity to find new perspectives. ~Brian Bogert [10:37]
“Mentorship is a catalyst for creativity.” ~Deborah Heiser [14:51]
Emotional development is one of the positive elements of aging. ~Deborah Heiser [26:19]
Life is not just physical but also emotional. ~Deborah Heiser [26:55]
When you pursue what’s important to you, you will naturally invest more of yourself and do it well. ~Brian Bogert [34:09]
“There is no failed mentoring; it’s just not mentoring.” ~Deborah Heiser [47:47]
“Everyone is a mentor.” ~Deborah Heiser [49:19]
“The most powerful mentorship is lateral mentoring.” ~Deborah Heiser [49:25]
“Look to your left and look to your right; you’re looking at your next mentor or mentee.” ~Deborah Heiser [01:03:29]