Once upon a time, mentors and coaches were assigned to employees. Workers were given a very direct road map to follow, and the definitions of success were clear (even if some of them were crazy). Today, not so much. As employee tenure has become shorter and middle management has been slashed, many companies simply no longer have the resources for mentoring — which means that the responsibilty for career growth falls squarely on the shoulders of the individual. In our increasingly narcisstic society, it kind of makes sense. And it certainly opens the door for unlimited opportunity.