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Juan C. Espinoza on Mentorship: Why Helping Others Can Boost Your Career

Success in investment careers often comes down to who you learn from – and who you help along the way. While most professionals chase high-profile mentors and networking opportunities, they might be missing a simpler path forward. During his successful career as a global value investor, Juan C. Espinoza has discovered an unexpected  path forward: become a mentor first.

Mentoring to Find Mentors

“One of the best ways to find great mentors is to start mentoring others,” says Juan, who has over two decades of experience in global value and special situations investing, and has mentored up-and-coming investment talent since 2010. “When you mentor someone, you develop empathy and understanding that makes you a better mentee. You also learn to separate wants from needs and become more self-aware.” Juan, who has held senior roles at large investment organizations such as Wellington Management and Oaktree Capital Management, believes that mentoring others provides unique insights that can help professionals maximize their own mentorship relationships later.

Learning to Be Easier to Help

“Mentoring teaches you how to be ‘easier to help,'” he explains. “You understand firsthand the challenges mentors face in terms of time management and communication. This awareness helps you become a more considerate and effective mentee when you seek guidance from others.”

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But how does one get started with mentoring, especially early in their career? Juan suggests that the threshold for becoming a mentor is lower than most people think. “If you are 20 to 50% ahead of someone in terms of experience or expertise in a specific area, you can be their mentor,” he notes. “You don’t need to be a senior executive or industry veteran. Even helping new team members get acclimated or guiding industry newcomers through basics you’ve already mastered can be valuable mentoring.”

The benefits of mentoring extend beyond just making you a better mentee. According to Juan, serving as a mentor helps develop critical professional skills and insights: “When you mentor others, you’re forced to think outside the box and articulate your knowledge clearly. You also become more aware of your own ‘excuses’ and ego-driven behaviors. These insights are invaluable for personal growth.”

Building a Strong Mentor-Mentee Relationship

Juan emphasizes that effective mentoring requires a foundation of trust and genuine commitment to the mentee’s growth. He outlines several key principles for new mentors:

“First, practice active listening – it’s one of the most underrated life skills. Support your mentee’s growth journey while celebrating their wins and providing encouragement after setbacks. Stay consistent with your support, even when facing your own career challenges. This builds character and resilience.” The relationship should also be mutually beneficial, creating opportunities for both mentor and mentee to learn and grow. “Exchange ideas about subjects that interest you both,” Juan advises. “Share your own experiences, including failures and the lessons learned. Act as a sounding board rather than just giving direct answers.”

Attracting the Right Mentors

For professionals hoping to attract high-quality mentors, Juan suggests demonstrating mentorship capabilities first: “When potential mentors see that you’re already invested in helping others grow, it signals that you understand the value of mentorship and will be respectful of their time and guidance.” He notes that this approach has worked well in his own career: “Many of my most valuable mentoring relationships developed after I had already established myself as someone committed to helping others succeed. It creates a positive cycle of giving and receiving.”

Looking ahead, Juan believes that mentorship will become increasingly crucial in a rapidly evolving business landscape. “The pace of change in our industry means that continuous learning and adaptation are essential. Strong mentoring relationships, both as mentor and mentee, help professionals navigate these changes more effectively.” His final advice for professionals seeking mentorship? “Start by looking for opportunities to help others grow. The insights and skills you gain from being a mentor will naturally attract the kind of meaningful mentoring relationships that can transform your career.”

Juan C. Espinoza is the founder of JE Fundamentals, a startup dedicated to developing digital courses that help investment analysts thrive in their careers and enjoy the work they do. Discover more about Juan’s approach at jefundamentals.com.

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