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Socrates and Plato - Plato and Aristotle -

Socrates mentored Plato, and then Plato paid the good fortune back by mentoring Aristotle.

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Socrates and Plato - Plato and Aristotle -

They built off each other's work, and this helped them reach a new level of understanding and reasoning in their philosophy.

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Socrates and Plato - Plato and Aristotle -

Dating back as far as 400 BCE, this trio alone can show us the power of mentoring relationships, as well as how the student can become the master.

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Christian Dior and Yves Saint-Laurent -

Competitors? Not at all. Saint-Laurent became Dior’s (pictured) personal assistant in the '50s. Alongside him, he learned the secrets of haute couture.

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Christian Dior and Yves Saint-Laurent -

Saint-Laurent also learned through his mentor how to run a successful company. He later succeeded Dior as the head of the Artistic Division.

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Christian Dior and Yves Saint-Laurent -

He even recalled: "Dior fascinated me. I couldn't speak in front of him. He taught me the basis of my art. Whatever was to happen next, I never forgot the years I spent at his side."

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Warren Buffett and Bill Gates -

Both Buffett and Gates have stated in the past that their meeting was initially not of choice and that they were both reluctant to spend time together.

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Warren Buffett and Bill Gates -

However, the two businessmen hit it off. And Gates has admitted that he has over the years turned to Buffett for advice on various subjects.

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Warren Buffett and Bill Gates -

Gates has even referred to Buffett as a one-of-a-kind. Now imagine the conversations they must have!

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Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Mahatma Gandhi -

Gokhale was an Indian political leader and social reformer during the Indian independence movement.

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Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Mahatma Gandhi -

Gokhale profoundly impacted Gandhi's ideologies and encouraged him to lead India in its independence struggle.

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Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Mahatma Gandhi -

A true mentor, Gokhale played a significant role in putting Gandhi at the forefront of India's freedom struggle.

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Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI -

While Pope John Paul II was pope, the future Pope Benedict worked closely with him in the Vatican. Years later, Pope Benedict XVI lead the sanctification of his predecessor.

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Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI -

Pope Benedict XVI later revealed his pontificate was closely inspired by that of Pope John Paul's, on views and stances on the modern world.

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Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg -

The two tech giants are said to have taken walks around Palo Alto, discussing how Zuckerberg might manage and develop Facebook.

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Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg -

In 2011, upon Jobs' death, Mark Zuckerberg posted the following: "Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend. Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world. I will miss you."

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Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung -

The relationship that began at the beginning of the 20th century is said to have started when Jung sent Freud a signed copy of his published studies.

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Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung -

Following that, Freud, who was older, took Jung on as his protégé and mentored him.

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Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung -

Freud and Jung developed a long-lasting friendship, which sadly ended when they reached different conclusions on the role of the unconscious.

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Benjamin Graham and Warren Buffett -

Even Bill Gates' mentor had a mentor! After reading Graham’s famous book 'The Intelligent Investor' (1949), Buffett said it made him his idol.

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Benjamin Graham and Warren Buffett -

Buffett applied to Columbia Business School where Graham taught. They started a close friendship, and later worked together.

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Freddie Laker and Richard Branson -

Back when Richard Branson was having trouble getting Virgin Atlantic off the ground, he sought guidance from airline engineer Freddie Laker.

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Freddie Laker and Richard Branson -

Branson has stated that he wouldn’t have made it in the airline industry if it wasn't for his mentor.

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Thomas Edison and Henry Ford -

In 1891, automobile magnate Henry Ford was employed as an engineer at the Edison Illuminating Company of Detroit, where he met Thomas Edison.

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Thomas Edison and Henry Ford -

Ford became chief engineer in 1893. Edison would become a lifelong mentor and friend.

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Larry Summers and Sheryl Sandberg -

For the future COO of Facebook, Sheryl Sandberg’s lecturer, Larry Summers, played a crucial role in the development of her career path.

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Larry Summers and Sheryl Sandberg -

The mentoring relationship began when Sandberg started writing a thesis about the role of women in the economy and government. Summers was her most supportive teacher. She later followed Summers first to the World Bank as an analyst, and then as Chief of Staff at the Treasury.

Sources: (PushFar) (Together)

See also: Starting strong: 30 essential tips for early career success

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