Whatever stage you are in your career, mentors help navigate your goals, instill a work ethic, and encourage you to persist when things don’t go as planned.  

Three financial advisors from the Philippines share the importance of having a mentor and the criteria for choosing one.  

Find mentors with shared values 

Edward Dela Cruz, a one-year MDRT member, reaches out to colleagues, branch leaders and other financial advisors to learn about their experiences and values.  

“Values vary per person, especially in our work as financial advisors. I admire people who have humility and integrity. They emphasize hard work and motivate us to do the same. Despite being in a higher position, these leaders still value other people’s opinions and become better examples to their mentees.” 

Meeting people with different values and experiences can provide growth opportunities. “While starting my career as a financial advisor, I learned that working in a team is essential, even if I have individual goals. It teaches me how to make compromises, extend my patience, and it does not get in the way of achieving my dreams.” 

Learn from your mentor’s life lessons 

MJ Revilla Inciong, a five-year MDRT member, is learning from his mentors’ experiences to optimize his chances of career growth and avoid costly mistakes. “As they have already gained wisdom from their journeys, mentors help you find the best career approaches and avoid some hurdles.”  

He said that he looks for mentors that help him improve his business and personal life based on the income and lifestyle he wants to achieve. “For example, if I want to earn a specific amount and see that this person is living the life that I’ve been dreaming of, I’ll reach out and learn as much as I can to help me attain my goals,” he added.  

Mentors inspire us to make a difference in other people’s lives 

“One of the most important lessons I learned from my first mentor is to make a difference in the lives of my prospects and clients. I hope they will remember me as someone who helped them realize the more important things in life, instead of someone focused on making a sale,” Joanne Palad, a three-year MDRT member, discussed.  

Palad said some of her mentors helped shape her mindset, especially when dealing with prospects and clients. “My mentors helped me embrace challenges and opportunities. They share perspectives that guide me in making career decisions and dispensing sound financial advice to my clients. In my first few months as a financial advisor, I often was frustrated because I wanted to close deals immediately. They told me that things take time and hard work. In addition, they pointed out that as financial advisors, our job goes beyond just closing insurance policies. We help people achieve peace of mind and improve the lives of their families.”  

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