What makes a great mentor? And how do mentorship relationships shape our careers, our confidence, and our ability to grow? In this episode of Hiring Humans, hosts Matt Primeau and Joaquin Esquilin take a deep dive into the power of mentorship—how the right guide at the right time can make all the difference in professional and personal development.
Matt shares his experiences from Tesla, where having strong mentors helped him advance from an entry-level role to leadership positions. He walks through the moments when key figures recognized his potential, gave him opportunities to prove himself, and shaped his career trajectory. Joaquin brings a personal perspective, reflecting on how his early karate instructor profoundly impacted his discipline, mindset, and ambition, setting the stage for lifelong learning.
Beyond their own journeys, Matt and Joaquin discuss the essential qualities that define a great mentor and how these relationships naturally form. They explore why mentors choose their mentees, how growth happens through structured feedback, and the importance of showing up and being ready when opportunity knocks.
Whether you’re looking for a mentor, hoping to become one, or simply interested in how personal connections drive professional success, this episode is packed with engaging stories, thoughtful insights, and a few surprising lessons along the way. Let's dive in!
In This Episode
[00:02] Introduction to mentorship
[01:04] Importance of mentorship
[02:16] Characteristics of mentorship
[03:50] Personal mentorship journey
[07:22] Transition to Tesla
[08:40] Tesla's growth and efficiency modes
[10:00] Mentorship at Tesla
[12:42] Re-leveling experience
[21:32] Joaquin's karate journey
[25:40] Reuniting with Damien
[26:25] The significance of mentorship
[27:24] Lessons learned from Damien
[28:32] Aspiring to be a mentor
[29:24] Readiness for mentorship
[30:37] Choosing a mentor
[30:59] Showing up
[31:25] Mentorship in music
[48:22] Mentoring others
[55:00] Teaching dance journey
[00:01:04] The student mindset
[01:05:36] Finding mentors
[01:07:24] Investing in mentorship
[01:08:10] Acknowledging influences
Notable Quotes
[02:16] "My first mentor relationships were always private music lessons. You meet weekly with somebody who already knows how to do something that you really want to know how to do, and they look at you and see some potential in you." — Matt Primeau
[20:54] "I was the smallest kid, but I kept going because I was excited. My sensei saw how scrappy I was and started giving me more assignments outside of class. He believed in me when I didn’t even know I could do it." — Joaquin Esquilin
[59:02] "I never got promoted by anybody who didn't take me on as a mentee, who didn't have a vision for what I could be and a plan for how I could get there." - Joaquin Esquilin
Resource & Links
Joaquin Esquilin
Matt Primeau
Hiring Humans is the podcast for redefining work, hiring, and career development. Hosted by Matt Primeau, a former Tesla leader and career psychology expert, each episode explores the flaws in job-seeking and recruiting while offering bold, people-centered solutions. From aligning talent with purpose to fostering meaningful mentorship and humanizing hiring, this is the playbook for recruiters, job seekers, and leaders ready to build careers and teams with intention.