Mentors point to the horizon;
and create a forum for the mentee to make their way, in their way, to their chosen destination. Both student and teacher begin by walking together — they can travel farther together than alone. But at some point, as they near the horizon, the journey becomes the mentee’s alone. We, as mentors, are guides of possibility — the choice of path must reside with the mentee.
Mentoring requires;
the resolve to assist people by encouraging them to find their voice, forge their position, and remain flexible in the design of that which best can assess and address the events and outcomes that are a by-product of life.
Mentors provide a map;
they share the lessons of their history and, from their story, provide avenues for questions and answers from those who choose personal responsibility and result over blame and excuse.
A mentor’s duty;
is to challenge and encourage the student to find a proverbial pen and begin to author their own unique story. Mentors are coaches that can teach a student to play it forward in life. I am a mentor, ally, and advocate for those who are willing and able to pay the price of successful engagement. I can provide guidance, however, I am cautious not to limit individual thought. I am careful to lose the words “should” and “shouldn’t” in conversation and replace them with “what if?” and “why?”. Remember, the direction of a dictator is fear-based and controlling, a vast departure from the fields of encouragement and teaching that is the fertile environment of mentorship.
The mentor teaches business and life skills;
they provide the impetus for a person to become aware — to seek, find, “Think and Do” and they encourage others to become personally engaged in the process and take ownership of their responsibility for the result.
When the student is ready, the mentor will appear. Yes, this is a rip-off of an age-old axiom, but it is a self-evident truth in life today. Today, more than ever, there is a high demand for quality, guidance through mentorship. Be equal to the demand that will create the possibility of the very best for society tomorrow!
Remember, the direction of a dictator is fear-based and controlling, a vast departure from the fields of encouragement and teaching that is the fertile environment of mentorship.
