Ask. Listen. Care.

LThere was a guy (more likely was late teens early 20s but I thought he was an adult back then) who lived on our street when I was younger. I don't remember his name as I don't think I even knew it, I barely remember his face.

What I do remember is him asking one day how school was going.

I told him how I was top of my class, he was so happy for me and said "well done, continue to focus and you'll do well".

I don't know why that guy's words still ring so clear as he's not the only person who ever encouraged me but for some reason I believed him.

I wanted to let him know I did do well. Wherever he is.

If I saw him now I would tell him I manage £million Microsoft System Implementations for some of the biggest companies in the world.

I did do well random man, and thank you for asking 💙

I still remember that 30-second interaction.

You don't always need a formal mentorship program or a fancy title to impact someone's trajectory.

Just Ask. Listen. Care.

Who believed in you before you believed in yourself? Let them know their words mattered. And then go be that person for someone else.