Trey Laverty on Mentorship [Lessons in Leadership]

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In this conversation, Carrie sits down with Trey Laverty to explore how mentorship can be a game-changer for leadership development—without needing to be overly formal or structured. Trey shares how he’s found mentors in unexpected places, why you should look beyond your industry, and how mentorship is ultimately about trust, relationships, and having the right people to call when you need guidance.

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Key Takeaways

• Mentors don’t have to be “super successful” or high-profile. Look for people who can help you grow professionally and personally.
• Mentorship doesn’t have to be formal. Forget rigid structures—build authentic relationships based on trust and shared experiences.
• You don’t need just one mentor. Having multiple mentors in different areas of life and work can provide well-rounded guidance.
• Look beyond your industry. Seeking perspectives from outside your field can give you fresh insights and help you think differently.
• Friendship and trust are the foundation of mentorship. The best mentors are people you feel comfortable reaching out to, whether it’s a scheduled meeting or a quick phone call.

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How to Find the Right Mentors

Step 1: Rethink What a Mentor Should Be

‍A great mentor isn’t necessarily someone with a fancy title or decades of success. Instead, Trey suggests looking for someone who:
✔ Helps you navigate both professional and personal growth.
✔ Is willing to share experiences and lessons learned.
✔ Gives you honest feedback and helps you avoid common pitfalls.Don’t get caught up in the pressure of officially asking someone to be your mentor—mentorship often happens organically through relationships.

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‍Step 2: Build a Diverse Network of Mentors

‍Rather than having just one mentor, seek out multiple mentors for different areas of life and work.

• Industry mentors can provide specific career guidance and industry knowledge.
• Outside-industry mentors offer fresh perspectives and new ways of thinking.
• Personal mentors can help with work-life balance and long-term career strategy.

Trey shares how he has mentors both inside and outside his field—including a friend in construction he frequently learns from. The key? Different perspectives fuel better decision-making.

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Step 3: Keep It Casual and Relationship-Driven

‍Mentorship doesn’t have to be structured—sometimes, it’s just a conversation over coffee, a phone call, or a round of golf. The goal is to:
✔ Keep mentorship natural and low-pressure.
✔ Build genuine relationships instead of rigid structures.
✔ Create trust so you feel comfortable reaching out when needed.

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‍Final Thoughts: Take the Pressure Off and Start Connecting

‍Trey’s approach to mentorship is refreshingly simple: find people you trust, build authentic relationships, and don’t overthink it. The best mentorships aren’t forced—they evolve naturally over time.

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Make sure to check out the full Lessons In Leadership Playlists today.

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‍About The Enrollify Podcast Network: Lessons In Leadership is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  

Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Confessions of a Higher Education Social Media Manager.

Enrollify is produced by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

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