Warp Pipes & Mentorship: Your Leadership Shortcut

One of my favorite video games growing up was Super Mario Bros (1985).

If you’ve played this game, then it’s likely that you remember the warp pipes. These are green pipes that could “warp” your character to other parts of the game. Essentially, they are shortcuts that let you skip levels. While there are many green pipes throughout the game, not all of them are warp pipes. In addition to this, some warp pipes could take you further than others. Because of this, players would have to learn for themselves which warp pipes were the best or they had to talk to someone who has already played the game to learn which ones were the best.

Having a mentor is kind of like having a warp pipe. A mentor can teach you the mistake that they have made so that you don’t have to also learn them yourself. They can also teach you tips and tricks that they have learned along the way. Essentially, they can show you the “shortcuts” that they have found that can help you be successful in leadership.

What about you? Do you have someone who is mentoring you? What is a “shortcut” you have learned from them?

_{Originally posted on February 8, 2021. Last updated on September 15, 2025.}