We recently hosted a no-nonsense session, Mentorship, Sponsorship, and Career Growth, featuring Ben Hyman, CEO of Talent Safari—a company connecting top talent with Africa’s most innovative startups. He skipped the fluff and broke down exactly how to build relationships that actually move the needle on your career.
The biggest mistake people make is making the "ask" too big. Ben Hyman was clear: don't message a stranger and ask for a job or a long-term mentorship commitment immediately. It’s too heavy.
Instead, start small. Reach out with a specific question based on their experience. For example: "I see you’re in agri-tech. I’m finishing a project on that topic—do you have 30 minutes to share your perspective?"
If the conversation goes well, the relationship builds naturally. Mentorship is a fluid exchange, not a formal job title.
We often look for gurus outside our office, but Ben pointed out that the most impactful mentorship happens 9-to-5.
Your direct manager is the person watching your work, criticizing your output, and (hopefully) championing your growth every single day. Don't overlook the value of that relationship. Leveraging your day-to-day work environment for learning is the fastest way to upskill because the feedback is immediate and relevant.
If you are waiting for your annual review to hear how you’re doing, you’re already behind. Ben emphasized that to grow, you need to be "outcome-obsessed" with your own performance.
After you submit a project, ask: "How was that? What could I have done better?"
If you don't ask, people (even bosses) often stay silent to avoid friction. By asking, you not only get the data you need to improve, but you also signal that you are ambitious and resilient.
The job market is shifting. Ben’s advice? Don't hide from AI—run towards it.
But it’s not just about using ChatGPT to write emails. To really stand out to employers like Talent Safari, you need to show you can build and automate. Ben specifically highlighted no-code automation tools like n8n or Zapier.
If you can show a potential employer that you can automate a routine task that used to take three days and make it take three minutes, you become instantly hireable.
Fear of rejection stops most careers before they start. Ben’s approach to LinkedIn networking is simple: "Who cares?"
If you send a message and they don't reply, you are in the exact same position you were five minutes ago. There is literally no downside. But if they do reply? It could change your career trajectory.
The internet has democratized access to people. Don't let your own hesitation be the gatekeeper.
Mentorship isn't about finding a savior; it's about being proactive, asking the right questions, and proving you have the hustle to follow through. Whether it's learning a new no-code tool or messaging an industry leader, the ball is in your court.
You can watch the complete "Mentorship, Sponsorship, and Career Growth" webinar on-demand here.
Book a call to learn how our programs can help you.
The only thing standing between you and your next leap isn't a title or a connection—it's the courage to hit 'send'. Stop waiting to be discovered and start building the proof they can't ignore.