Leading Leaders

The first time I heard the term "mentoring", I was watching daytime television - eating Cool Ranch Doritos and enjoying the carefree summer days of adolescence. An organization by the name of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America was looking for volunteers to mentor young, at risk kids in the Dallas area. At the time I had no concept of what mentoring meant, or what a difference it could mean to a young child - or to a young professional for that matter.

There are several people whose extra efforts have meant the world to me throughout the years. I won't lie to you, my teenage years were hell. I was not considered a cute girl in school, and the other kids - well, I'm guessing that you all know just how friendly kids can be when they spot a self-esteem issue. I was like bait on a hook. What saved me was the love and friendship of an amazing woman named Sheila.  Sheila had neither the time nor the need to befriend me, her husband was the pastor of our church so her schedule was hectic and her critics were many.  Sheila couldn't care less. She taught me that you don't have to care about the judgments of others, so long as you know that you are right with yourself and your maker.

Sheila was followed by several amazing supervisors, and honestly - I must have been the luckiest employee in the world to have learned from so many willing teachers. From my time at MCI to my present employer I have had the honor of working with some very capable leaders. These are people that understand that it doesn't take monumental gestures to mentor someone willing to learn.  Eager students are encouraged by simple lessons - give us an hour a month and we will repay you with our successes.

Mentoring can be personal or professional, so long as it is positive. Take some time to teach someone how to ride a bike, how to give an interview - or how to counsel an employee.  Walk by an employee's desk and remember their name - USE IT NEXT TIME YOU SEE THEM.  Take the time to ask about their dreams and help them get there, if they'd like.  I'd wager that someone once did it for you, as they did for me. 

Take the good that you learn and teach it to the ones that come after you.

Oh, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is still looking for volunteers.