When it comes to building a successful career in leadership, one factor stands out as a game-changer: mentorship.
For Bren James Manlangit, a Certified Management Accountant (Australia) and now a finance director for a U.S.-based digital marketing company, finding the right mentor was pivotal to his career trajectory. “I actually did have a mentor,” he shared. “If you’re familiar with John Maxwell, they have this mentorship program. I had a mentor in the U.S. who was John Maxwell-certified. I took a two-week mentorship program.”
That experience reshaped how Bren viewed leadership. It wasn’t just about managing tasks or hitting quarterly goals—it was about unlocking potential in others and in himself. “I asked him how to improve my career and how to gain competitive advantage in today’s market,” Bren said. That conversation sparked his decision to pursue further studies and certifications, which helped him move from finance supervisor to C-suite opportunities—including a stint as a CFO in a U.S. firm.
According to Bren, mentorship gives professionals something no textbook or workshop ever can: clarity of purpose and confidence in direction. “If you want to lead, you need to learn. And if you want to continue to lead, you need to continue to learn,” he said, quoting John Maxwell—words that he still lives by.
The impact of mentorship wasn’t just philosophical—it had tangible outcomes. “I started to look for ways to attain that level,” Bren noted, referring to his goal of becoming a finance director. Mentorship guided him toward strategic decisions like taking the CMA program and enrolling in master’s-level courses.
For aspiring professionals looking to climb the corporate ladder, Bren’s advice is simple: “Spend time to evaluate yourself. Be specific with your goals. And from there, identify steps to achieve them.”
Mentorship, he believes, is the shortcut most people overlook. The right guidance can save you years of guesswork—and fast-track your leadership potential.
