In this episode, I’m joined by my co-host Carly Malatskey, a former software engineer turned entrepreneur and host of She Leads. Through 6 listener questions, we break down how mentors spot patterns others miss, and how you can use that insight to unlock your next move. Whether you're leading a team, switching paths, or just feeling off, this episode is packed with tactical advice for unlocking your career.

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Key topics

6 common patterns holding leaders back

How mentors can spot them, and what advice to give

Breaking through organizational barriers

Why smart people still get stuck

Navigating change vs. waiting it out

Thriving in early-stage chaos

Why strong reviews don’t always lead to promotion

Taking leadership roles before you feel ready

Finding—and becoming—a great mentor

How to ask better questions and get better advice

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Where to find Carly:

LinkedIn

She Leads Podcast

Twitter/X

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Where to find Nikhyl:

Twitter/X

LinkedIn

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Find The Skip:

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Don't forget to subscribe to The Skip to hear me coach you through timely career lessons. If you’re interested in joining me on a future call, send me a note on LinkedIn, Threads, or Twitter. You can also email me at nikhyl@skip.community

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Timestamps

(00:00) How to spot patterns

(01:08) How to find and then become a mentor

(10:57) Scaling mentorship

(15:09) How to heat seek around patterns

(21:47) Question 1: How can I break through organizational barriers?

(22:29) Pattern 1: Are you actually stuck?

(30:05) Question 2: How can busy leaders stay technically up to date?

(30:28) Pattern 2: If you know what you should do, why aren’t you doing it?

(42:48) Question 3: How to navigate change?

(40:56) Pattern 3: Do you need to work on this problem, or just wait it out?

(52:23) Question 4: How normal is chaos in early stage companies?

(52:54) Pattern 4: Broken might be normal, and you were hired to solve problems

(61:07) Question 5: My performance reviews are excellent, but why am I not being promoted?

(61:41) Pattern 5: Are you growing faster than the company?

(67:35) Question 6: Should I take a leadership role that I don’t feel ready for?

(68:29) Pattern 6: Are you too humble or negative?

(73:23) Key takeaways and summary

(77:57) How to get in touch with Nikhyl

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theskip.substack.com

The Mentor's Superpower: Pattern Recognition That Unlocks Careers

The Skip Podcast