This article examines practical problems encountered in mentoring adult learners in higher education through stories of ethical dilemmas. Each incident illustrates the power that mentors possess and the ethical challenges of using this power to help or hurt proteges. Each example addresses an aspect of such power; the power to remove oneself as a mentor, the power to challenged and inspire, the power to not communicate reasons for actions, and the power to protect proteges. The author concludes with her own set of key ethical mentoring principles.