What Makes A Good Mentor?
I don’t know if you have been fortunate enough in life to have a good mentor, but I have. I have had several people who have taken me under their wing at various times in my career to help, to guide, to prod, to encourage, to push me out of my comfort zone into areas that were at times uncomfortable…but eventually very profitable.
I really can’t put a price on what that means to me, but it is worth it’s weight in gold to have someone do that for you. Everyone needs someone to believe in them…especially when you are new and don’t believe in yourself yet.
Early in my career I had one particular manager that I admire still to this day. A good manager is really more than a manager. He inspires, he teaches, he models what needs to be done. And probably most importantly, he believes in me. He works hard, he stays positive when most people would have given up or quit. He keeps his sense of humor and is able to laugh at himself. He is fiercely competitive, and encourages me to step up. He doesn’t have to kick me in the butt to get me going because I enjoy working with him. I look forward to what I am going to learn, and I learn a lot from him as a result. This guy was all that and more. He was a friend.
Bottom line is….that is the type of mentor I want to be. I want to leave that type of legacy. Whether it be with my kids, my family members, my neighbors, my friends, or my co-workers. I want them to say those type of things about me before I die.
There is an old joke about three old guys who sat around talking about what they wanted people to say about them when they were gone. The first guy said, “I want to have them say I remember he was a great father.” The second guy said, “I want to have them say I remember he was a great leader.” The third man was quiet for a moment then said, “I want them to say, LOOK, he is moving!”
Made ya laugh. :o)
Ok….start MOVING. Be a mentor to your friends, your family, your co-workers. Sew into them the seeds of greatness that you see in them. Then water them and nurture them. The rewards you get back are priceless.
Shalom!
Dan Skognes