entor: Someone who teaches or gives help and advice to a less experienced and often younger person.” That’s how Google defines it. But honestly, in 2025, this definition seems like it’s straight out of an HR manual that must have be written in the 1990s and is as outdated as saying, “Please insert Disk 2 to continue.”

Today, mentorship isn’t just a senior-suits-young-apprentice situation. It’s more fluid, unexpected, and in many ways, a lot more fun.

In today’s world, mentorship is no longer confined to age, titles, or face-to-face interaction. It’s your mom’s savage clap-backs; your friend who always knows when you’re lying; a random TED talk that changed your life; your no-nonsense grandmother; a random stranger who dropped a truth bomb; that one colleague who always knows when you’re slacking off; that baby cousin who shares the best advice; or even that Pakistani ‘influencer’ who taught you how to fix the squeaky door. It’s anyone who, at any point, makes you think, “Huh, that changed me a little.”

It’s time we expanded and redefined what it means to be a mentor — someone who inspires growth, provides a new perspective, or inspires you to be a better version of yourself. I’ve had mentors who never knew they were mentoring me. Mentorship isn’t hierarchical. It’s everywhere. Yes, that includes the workplace, where learning from others isn’t just helpful; it’s how you grow.

My first superheroes, my OG mentors, were my parents. My dad, a beacon of ethical strength, taught me the unwavering importance of integrity. My mom, easily the strongest human I’ve ever met, had raised her nine siblings and an extended family since she was eight. Hers was a family that could have been on an ensemble sitcom. She’s taught me resilience and grit. She’s what Marvel would call a multiverse-level superhero. She defined “boss lady” for me before it was a hashtag; exuding confidence, determination and making decisions with a sharpness that could put Fortune 500 CEOs to shame.

Then there’s my naani — a force of nature. You think boardroom negotiations are tough? Try getting approval for a sleepover from her.

Growing up, mentorship came in the form of my mamun — he handed out mix tapes (yes, actual tapes!) featuring Led Zeppelin, Yardbirds, AC/DC and the like; introduced me to the magic of cinema and the rollercoaster of Pakistani cricket. He broadened my horizons in ways traditional schooling never could.

Then there were my friends and cousins. They were the siblings I never had, a motley crew who helped shape my identity, sometimes by showing me exactly who I didn’t want to be (we’ve all been there). They were, and still are, my brothers, therapists, punching bags, grounding force and reality checks. From the Hayats, Saad and Shahrukh, to the MBC clan, Hasan, Zain, and the entire Karachi-school-gang (you-know-who-you-are); Chattha, Bilal and Jeff in Lahore; my cousins Waqas and Mehwish; and my oldest friend, Ayesha; each one of them taught me either who I wanted to become or absolutely didn’t.

At workplace, I hit the mentor jackpot. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to learn from some phenomenal women. At Lotus, my boss Selina has been pivotal in my professional journey, serving both as a moral compass and the architect of my career. Her leadership, characterised by steadfast integrity, clear direction and consistent action, has had a transformative, deep and lasting impact on who I am professionally.

Then there’s Musharaf Hai, an icon in the business community. She taught me to zoom out and see the bigger picture, all while zooming through five-hour meetings like a boss. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (yes, the two-time Oscar winning whirlwind of energy) taught me that grit and energy can move mountains. And Sania Maskatiya, Adeela Liaquat, Asma Rao, Amna Zafar — each of these powerhouses mentored me just by being in their orbit. It doesn’t stop there. Colleagues of all ages and roles have been invaluable in teaching me lessons I never expected to learn.

Mentorship today transcends formal relationships. It’s on IG and TikTok, where creators spill wisdom in 60-second clips; on podcasts, where hosts unpack life-changing ideas over casual chats; and on Instagram, where posts about resilience and mental health strike relatability chords. Strangers who upload their stories, their struggles and their triumphs become mentors in moments one didn’t anticipate.

But mentorship isn’t only top-down. It’s also lateral, diagonal and sometimes upside-down. So, how does this trickle down to the workplace? By fostering a culture of continuous learning and reciprocal growth; by recognising that wisdom isn’t confined to titles or seniority; by creating spaces where everyone feels empowered to share their knowledge and learn from others, regardless of their position on the corporate ladder.

I’ve learned from associates with digi-hustle and interns who ask “why” when everyone else says “sure;” colleagues who challenge, question and inspire. Even those who leave you on ‘seen’ have something to teach you — like how not to communicate.

All this matters, a lot. Great workplaces get this. The cycle of mentorship is a powerful force. They know mentorship isn’t just senior-trains-junior. It’s also:

Reverse Mentoring: Gen Z teaching Millennials/Boomers how to keep up with trends;

Peer Mentoring: That one colleague (Mr J) who always knows exactly how to handle a toxic client;

Digital Mentoring: When a LinkedIn post or a podcast episode solves your problem faster than HR.

Companies that encourage this don’t just grow; they thrive.

Mentorship isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes, lessons come from conflict, failure, or people one didn’t enjoy working with. There are moments of ‘unlearning,’ where we discard bad habits or challenge unproductive perspectives. That’s the magic of mentorship — it’s not just about ‘learning,’ it’s about evolving.

The point is: a mentor isn’t just a title. It’s a moment. It’s anyone — family, friend, colleague, stranger, algorithm — who helps you grow. The key is being open to learning; to learn you also have to unlearn.

To mentor someone you don’t need a corner office or gray hair. You just need to show up, share and support.

The beauty of this ‘redefined’ mentorship is its cyclical nature. Mentees become mentors, mentors become students again and the world keeps turning. So, whether it’s your naana abbu’s wisdom, your colleague’s PowerPoint prowess, or a podcast you listened to while doom-scrolling at 2 am, , mentorship is everywhere. All you have to do is pay attention.

Zubair Mallick is managing director at Lotus Client Management & Public Relations. He can be reached at zubairmallick@lotuspk.com