Winners win with mentoring. Prime examples: Alexander had Aristotle, Tony Robbins had Jim Rohn, George Patton had John Mosby… this list is endless. What list isn’t endless? The list of success stories that had no guidance, no coach, no teacher, and no mentor.
Business and military leaders, athletes, and actors — top performers — are often quick to defer acclaim to someone else. Maybe they call out a role model, maybe a coach, but always, a mentor.
What is mentoring?
The Cambridge dictionary defines mentoring as: the act or process of helping and giving advice to a younger or less experienced person, especially in a job or at school.
Real-world, it’s anyone helping anyone else become greater, faster. Additionally, it’s a special type of relationship that is ongoing. Mentoring should be a marathon — a process most effective over time; conditioning if you will. Examine any successful human being. Especially the established all-time greats. Even after fame and success, they continue to seek out guidance.
Leonardo Decaprio didn’t take acting lessons with Larry Moss until he was producing The Aviator. Kirk Hammet didn’t take guitar lessons with Joe Satriani until he had already earned a spot as the lead guitarist of Metallica.
This is a common method of how winners win — it’s a mindset and it is never too late to get better.
What does the mentoring process look like?
As an example, maybe it’s the Boy Scout helping their little Cub Scout-brother tie the knots he’s already learned. Maybe it’s the CMO making 20 minutes each week to review the cause and effects of her marketing manager in order to lend her insights to facilitate her employee’s success and consequently, her organization’s success.
Guess what? Whether it’s tying square knots or refining product launches, it’s never only the mentor that benefits. Richard P. Feynman, a legendary mentor, once said, “If you want to master something, teach it. A great way to learn is to teach.”
“If you want to master something, teach it. A great way to learn is to teach.” Richard P. Feynman
Tweet
What does mentoring feel like?
Without question, you feel stronger and more capable to do things you previously would hesitate to engage in. Why? Because you know you’ve got backup, you know you’re not getting lost, because you’ve got a guide. Why travel into unknown territory alone?
Should parents feel obligated to be mentors?
My opinion is that if you’re a parent, you’re already a mentor to your kids — good or bad; whether you want to be or not. To answer the question directly, no, and this is why: When you became a parent, no one expected you to be the greatest at everything. Therefore, maybe your kid has an interest in something their aunt or uncle excels at or a teacher at school, or maybe there’s another local expert available. I’ve been fortunate to have many mentors in my life. I wouldn’t be the same person today if I was limited to only my parents’ guidance, no matter how great their strengths and intent. If someone else can add value to your kid in addition to you, let it happen.
How to get a mentor?
Groups! — Humans are naturally social creatures and there are groups for everything. Please refer to the list at the bottom of this article. Obviously, there are many more options. Conduct your due diligence and make it happen.
Understand this: A mentor-mentee relationship does not need to be an official thing. Therefore, maybe the freshman in the chess club asks a senior if they can discuss end-game strategies. Similarly, maybe the software engineer asks a colleague for tips on machine learning. In either case, it’s an opportunity for a relationship to begin, with a positive purpose to continue.
When to become a mentor?
Now. If you’re a kid, you can mentor another kid. If you’re an adult… what are you waiting for? You don’t have time? I challenge that. There’s not having time and not making time. Maybe you work 80 hours a week and can’t commit to a program like Big Brothers Big Sisters. Fine. Help someone at work get better at something that you’re already great at. You’ll be starting a powerful domino effect and just maybe, decreasing your own workload.
“Be the change you want to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi
Tweet
Mentoring is not exclusively performed by the elite.
Some of the best coaches and mentors are not the best in action at their given area of expertise. Above all, just being available for someone is more powerful than any Vince Lombardi speech.
Is a mentor a therapist or psychologist?
No.
Can they change a life?
Absolutely.
In conclusion, let’s make a deal. If you have never worked with a mentor, before you go to sleep tomorrow, spend 90 seconds of your time on a Google search for a mentor in your area, or take a direct approach and ask someone directly. You know who they are. In addition, if you are capable of mentoring, and you’re not, what are you waiting for? Share your success stories from mentoring in the comments to inspire someone to follow your lead.
Martial Arts academies
Clubs at school
Organized or unorganized sports
Volunteer fire fighting
Family members
Friends of family members
The PREVAIL.blog was created to facilitate self-empowerment through self-leadership, so we may better serve those we mean to inspire and support — as humans, leaders, and tacticians.
If you found value within this article, please consider sharing it now.
Together We Prevail.