People consistently ask me about the importance of making female alliances and mentorships in the workplace. But to be honest with you, I don’t think this is a gender issue. No matter what your situation, demographic, or background, nothing but good can come from putting yourself out there and reaching out to the people you admire for a little professional insight and guidance.

In my experience, rather than primarily focusing on the next salary increase or promotion, the one surefire thing that will actually help you get to where you want to be in business is finding a great work mentor. Why? Because great mentorship is the result of taking the initiative to find the right guide and then fostering that relationship over time.

Throughout my career, mentorship stands out as one of the most valuable experiences I’ve had. That’s because the act of mentorship is crucial to learning the ropes and getting ahead in business, but it’s also integral to developing invaluable personal skillsets, forging key workplace relationships, and gaining a more comprehensive overview on the way the business world works.

Sure there were a number of different employers over the course of my career, but mentors remained consistent in their encouragement to stretch myself, and they’ve helped guide me through workplace challenges.

I’ll never forget my very first mentor, a former president of Nike. His guidance had a profound effect on me—it’s the reason I think mentorship is absolutely necessary at work. He gave me great advice that I carry to this day and actively pass on to people seeking the same guidance I wanted when I was just starting out in my career.

He advised me to always envision myself in the next role; to walk into a meeting and imagine what my questions, responsibilities and actions would be if I was actually in the higher position. It was a safe role to play out before actually getting the opportunity to sit in that seat. Essentially, he encouraged me to go for and assume roles that seemed out of reach. And his advice was radical to me then, an eager, but let’s face it somewhat unexperienced, young businesswoman looking to advance my career.

Because of my mentors, I’ve stopped worrying about job titles and turned my focus on the nature of the kind of work I wanted to do. I started zeroing in on the talents I wanted to acquire and the work experiences I craved. The result? I ended up expanding my knowledge and now I’m always on the look out for opportunities to learn and grow. No matter what, if you’re gaining experience, you’re moving forward. That single lesson has helped shaped my career in myriad ways.

And now, he’s just one of dozens of mentors I’ve had since I started out in the corporate world. The corporate world thrives on collaboration, trust, and alliance (to the uninitiated, that’s shocking, I know!). And I really realized this when I started investing in key mentorships at work and reaping the benefits.

I champion my enthusiasm for mentorship at my current position at Levi Strauss & Co. I mentor a handful of employees—and I still seek the advice and guidance of some of the mentors I’ve had in the past for challenges I face today. I’m a huge supporter of our internship program, which grants students hands-on experiences and access to many seasoned but young leaders at the company. Our senior executives are encouraged and excited to interface with our newest employees – recent graduates just starting out. The energy it creates is inspiring to all of us. I have come to look at the power of ‘reverse mentoring’ and peer mentoring as concepts that opens up some really interesting thoughts and energy as well.

That’s the key: mentorship isn’t a one-sided relationship. Many companies have mentorship programs, but in my opinion, that often isn’t the best way to ensure mentor success. Taking the initiative to ask someone you admire, whether a senior executive, peer, or up and coming talent, to help guide you through the often-confusing, but exciting, landscape of the business world is an impressive feat for anyone in business. It shows gusto and a willingness to learn. Plus, the benefits are much more pronounced when you seek out the guidance of a person you genuinely admire.

So how do you do it? Try sending an email asking your prospective mentor if you might be able to grab a coffee. See if someone you respect can give you feedback on an idea you’re having. Start small. Ask questions. Follow directions. Those are the steps I took to work with some of the best minds in my industry. Was I nervous they might say no? Did I feel like they might be too busy? You bet, but I was much more curious and excited to learn from the insight of people whose work I admired. Being curious and driven by passion allows you to ask questions you genuinely care about; it shows a willingness to learn, expand, grow, reach, and achieve.

I’ve been a mentee and a mentor and I assure you, there’s nothing better than having someone just starting out asking for that very same advice you needed when you stepped into the business world, or learning a new way to challenge yourself think from a different perspective. And I can say with 100% confidence that I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am today, had it not been for the gracious guidance of the mentors I’ve had throughout my career.

How did you find your mentor? How did that mentorship shape your career? Share your story in the comments below.