I haven't been formally mentored but at work and in school I have had a lot of luck with "what you do sounds interesting and I would love to know more about it,

I haven't been formally mentored but at work and in school I have had a lot of luck with "what you do sounds interesting and I would love to know more about it," including with the Dean of my department who (I assume) is pretty busy. I imagine there are jerks out there but honestly for a lot of people this is something they have poured a lot of themselves into (especially in academia) and its nice when someone is new but actually really interested.