The Value of Mentoring – Part 1

Career With A Purpose 5.0

Several decades ago, it was common for Americans to live within walking distance of extended family. One had merely to walk down the street to receive a helping hand from an uncle or a reassuring hug from a grandparent. Today, while cell phones and computers may enhance the ability to stay in touch, the fact remains that people often feel cut off from the intimacy of family and caught without a safety net when unexpected needs arise.

Computers don’t give out hugs, and divorced or out-of-town parents sometimes don’t have the extra income or energy to help a young adult child with a broken down car or confusing career decision. Thus, personal assistance and mentoring from a neighbor, business associate, or older friend can fill some much-needed gaps in experience, guidance, support, and encouragement.

For centuries, tradesmen have learned everything from breadmaking to goldsmithing through apprenticeships under more experienced craftsmen. However, today, with greater mobility in society and more broken families, I believe the need for personal mentoring is as great as the need for mentoring in business.

The truth is: we all need people to believe in us until we learn to believe in ourselves…until we begin to recognize our own gifts and learn how to use them with humble confidence and healthy boundaries. Most people have a low opinion of themselves. So when someone comes along with the ability to hold up a mirror to their God given potential, it is a beautiful treasure.

Most of us would love to make this kind of life-giving impact, yet, it is easy to think we don’t have the requisite wisdom (or time) to be an effective mentor. However, Moira Forbes, President and Publisher of Forbes Women, says it is not about extended periods of time or even great expertise. It can be as simple as inviting a young acquaintance to coffee and sharing life experiences. Other people’s experiences can offer valuable perspective for any of us. And having someone take a personal interest can be a wonderful encouragement.

In her book The Story of Ruth, Joan Chittister says, “The moment we become conscious that we are no longer young, we become an even more valuable resource to the … [younger people] in our lives than we ever were before.” (p. 31) even though many of us did not have mentors or healthy role models ourselves, with God’s help, we can become for others what we didn’t have, so that generations after us will have faith stories and memorable second-hand life experiences to lean on when times get rough.

There are numerous common-sense things that can be shared during a long walk or a lunch conversation. For example, every young person probably needs to know that a mistake does not create a blemish on a person’s character. Mistakes are simply opportunities to learn. What a blessing to be able to help someone navigate gracefully beyond an embarrassing mistake and have the courage to try again with more information and a little advice.

For more tips on mentoring, check out our next article: The Value of Mentoring, Part 2.