Mentor – A Dying Breed

Last week was a spectacular string of successes for Elon Musk. Although after the presentation of humanoid robots, Tesla's stock dropped by nearly 10%, the landing of an autonomous rocket (segment) from the SpaceX stable hit the jackpot. There’s a lot of talk (as Musk himself writes in his biography) that he’s a lonely genius, doesn’t listen to others, and even fires those who are disobedient. But is that really the case?

Leaders need mentors. As they embark on their journey into the unknown complexities of business, it helps to have someone who can offer good advice or a helping hand. Only a select few are lucky enough to find that. A mentor who understands both the changing world and has enough time and passion to share their experience is worth their weight in gold today.
The concept of a mentor has its roots in ancient Greece, and its origin is tied to mythology. The term "mentor" comes from the name of a character in Homer’s *Odyssey*. In the epic, Mentor was a close friend of Odysseus. When Odysseus left for the Trojan War, he entrusted Mentor with the care of his son, Telemachus. Mentor played the role of an advisor and guardian to the young boy, helping him grow and develop. The figure of Mentor symbolizes a wise and experienced person who supports, inspires, and advises a younger or less experienced individual.

The mentors I’ve had the chance to meet, as well as those who have helped my colleagues, possess many exceptional qualities. In my opinion, one of these deserves special recognition. One might think it’s knowledge, engagement, experience, or simply care. But the trait that stands out to me is the genuine and complete dedication to their mentee. Much like in Homer’s tale, it is the mentor who defines why they need to offer this favor. This seemingly simple element is crucial. The mentor either lets the young leader (not necessarily young in age) spread their wings or knows that they cannot offer adequate advice themselves. In that case, they ask the question (or should ask it): "What does my mentee need to succeed?" It turns out that often small suggestions, given by a trusted person, can be invaluable. We must remember that such a guide could simply be a business partner, a role model, or an authority figure.
Elon Musk often mentions that his mentors were primarily Richard Feynman – the physicist known for the principle of "breaking down problems to their most basic truths," Peter Thiel – co-founder of PayPal, with whom Musk collaborated in creating the company, and Larry Page – one of the founders of Google. He also mentions Tony Stark (a fictional character). Musk often says that Tony Stark, the hero of the "Iron Man" films, was an inspiration to him in terms of innovation and technology.

Richard Feynman was an inspiration to many. "The Pleasure of Finding Things Out" is a collection of essays, interviews, and lectures by Feynman that focus on his philosophy of science, approach to discovering the world, and the life of a scientist. The book was published posthumously and provides insight into the mind of one of the most fascinating physicists of the 20th century.
Feynman presented several unique concepts that can serve as guidelines for the leaders of the new world.
"Curiosity and the Joy of Discovery" – He argues that the greatest pleasure in life is discovery itself, asking questions and finding answers. It’s not the end result, but the research process that brought him the most satisfaction.
"Critical Thinking and Skepticism" – He emphasizes the need for critical thinking, regardless of authority or established norms. He encourages questioning everything we hear and accepting only conclusions that withstand the test of skepticism. This approach is reflected in his "first principles" method.
"Discovery for the Sake of Pleasure" – Science and discovery should be motivated by the joy of the search for truth, not by material benefits or the desire for fame. Working in the lab, solving problems, or even small personal discoveries were for him a constant source of joy.
"Science and Ethics" – His reflections on the responsibility of scientists toward society are extremely relevant. Feynman talks about his experiences with the Manhattan Project and the ethical dilemmas related to the development of atomic weapons. He shows that the great power that science offers comes with the responsibility for its use.

Although Musk didn’t follow all of Feynman’s advice, there’s something in Feynman’s philosophy for contemporary business leaders that we often forget in the grind of daily life.