Mentoring: A Key to Success

24th September, 2011 - Posted by L. John Mason -

SInce I began executive coaching in the early 1980’s, I have come to realize that there is an important ingrediant in executive success that is often missing. Mentoring is important for any person wishing to find the best, and fastest, way to developing your skills and to your ultimate success. Executive leaders, managers, teachers, parents, musicians, sales professionals, and even professional athletes can all benefit from have a successful mentorship.

Mentors are positive role models that assist their associates to avoid unsuccessful behaviors and help them to find the best path toward their goals. Mentors do not do the work for the people they mentor. Mentors do not give all the answers or order their associates around. By example, and with gentle suggestions they will support the people they mentor toward the most positive directions toward their goals.

Finding the best mentor, who has the experience, and is willing to share their advice, can be challenging. Timing is everything. Executives in mid-career can be too busy to assist other people. The value in imparting wisdom through positive mentorships is lost on some self-centered, perhaps too competitive, executives and this can hurt their organization and possibly their professional standing (and respect.) Mentors can not be expected to sacrifice too much of their valuable time and energy, but can benefit from this experience nearly as much as the people they mentor. If you are searching for a mentor and have faced some frustration in this pursuit, remember that a good mentor is worth the effort because it will save you more frustration and help to speed your process, when you find the “right” mentor.

Creative people and people with strong emotional/spiritual foundations are often drawn to mentoring as a way of “giving back” and demonstrating their vast knowledge and experience. Successful people have been fortunate to learn the “secrets” to success and the world can be a better place when they are willing to share this wisdom. There are people who have the natural ability to be great mentors. There are other people who must work to develop their skills to become great mentors. Patience and good communication skills are often necessary for mentors to possess.

If you can not find a mentor, you may wish to consider getting assistance from a good professional coach. Coaching is a service that can assist you to develop the best plan to move you toward your goal and helps hold you accountable as you move through your process. Coaches are not always specific experts in your field, as a mentor would be, but they have the skills to get you focused and, like a good mentor, support you as you move toward your success.

People find that they can succeed without a mentor or a coach but it may not be worth the effort to have to invent all of the processes for success, alone. Good mentor or coaches will save you time and energy. Good luck with finding, and following, your path toward your goals.

Consider coaching or assistance finding a mentor by contacting the Stress Education Center at www.dstress.com