These 3 People Help You Ask Better Questions
Article #127 of Life Unlocked - A newsletter by Dr Yath Prem, MD
Dear Friends,
Over the past few weeks, I’ve found myself in situations where a single conversation, just one well-timed question to the right person, moved things forward in ways that months of solo thinking hadn’t.
It reminded me of something I’ve come to believe deeply:
Success isn’t about what you know, or even who you know. It’s about asking the right question to the right person at the right time.
The challenge is, of course, knowing who that “right person” is and being able to reach them. That’s where the idea of a tribe of mentors becomes powerful.
In my journey from clinical medicine to health tech and beyond having access to the right voices at the right moments has shaped nearly every pivot I’ve made. Not because those people gave me answers, but because they helped me ask better questions.
Over time, I’ve realised there are three types of mentors we should all try to find, not in some formal "Will you be my mentor?" way, but through intentional connection and curiosity. Let me explain.
1. The Step-Ahead Mentor
This is someone just a little further along than you, maybe a year or two ahead.
They still remember what it’s like to be in your shoes. They give real-world advice that’s practical, relevant, and immediately applicable.
In medicine, this was often the SHO when I was a medical student. In tech, it's the peer who recently made the leap I’m about to make or I’m thinking about making. Their perspective is grounded and clear because they’ve only just walked the path.
2. The 5-Year Mentor
This person is living a version of the life you’re hoping to build in the next five years. They're not perfect or idealised, but they’re a mirror of what’s possible if you keep going.
They help you zoom out, connect short-term actions to long-term outcomes, and think more strategically. Conversations with them are less about solving today’s problem and more about shaping tomorrow’s direction.
3. The Guru
This is your sage. The one who’s seen entire seasons of careers come and go. Their insights aren’t tactical, they’re transcendent.
Maybe they’ve exited companies, led entire departments, or watched a whole generation come up through the system. You don’t need regular access to them. But when you do speak, it feels like a download of 30 years of experience compressed into one lunch.
They help you avoid mistakes you can’t yet see. They won’t micromanage your path, but they’ll hand you the compass. They may also feel like a REALLY good therapist.
Why This Matters Now
We live in a time of information abundance. Advice is everywhere. Courses, books, podcasts, newsletters (yes, including this one). But knowing what to do is less important than knowing who to ask and when.
When I think about the people who’ve helped me the most in the last few years, it wasn’t because they had all the answers. It’s because they helped me refine my questions.
“What’s the worst that could happen if you made this decision?”
“What am I optimising for long-term?”
“Is this a speed bump or a signal I’m on the wrong road?”
None of those questions came from me. They came from mentors, each at the right moment. This is because over the years I have made genuine connections with others who will give up a random hour on a Friday evening to talk with me and guide me. I am actively trying to pay this forward and invite you to reach out if you think I can help you.
This week, I invite you to reflect on your support system:
Who’s just one step ahead of you, and can help with your next few moves?
Who’s five years ahead, showing you what’s possible with consistency?
And who might be your guru, the person who’s seen it all?
And maybe (definitely), you are already someone’s step-ahead mentor too.
Have a great week,
Dr. Yath Prem, MD
Quote of the week:
The top is where the fixed mindset people hunger to be, but it’s where many growth-minded people arrive as a by-product of their enthusiasm for what they do.
— Carol Dweck (Mindset)
Thanks for reading Life Unlocked! I write these because even if one person resonates with an idea or learns something new, then it’s worthwhile.
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