1. The Magic of Mentoring*
Many times,we are up againstchallengesbothinbusinessandinlife,andwe findourselves
facingthemalone.Havingcollaborationwithfriends,mentorsand sponsorscangive uscritical
motivationandsoftenthe learningcurve of new endeavors.Sometimeswe have learnedto
have goodjudgmentafterexperienceswherewe made mistakes.Failure is one of the greatest
teachers.Mentoringcanallowusto skipa step,and let’sus“borrow”the goodjudgmentof
anothergoingforward.Buttrue mentoringgoesfardeeperthanjustimprovedstrategy.It
includesencouragement,identityrealization,andbeinginfluencedbyachosenrole model.
Is mentoringfor everyone?
I wouldtrulyhope so,butindividualsmustdecide whatisbestforthemandinwhichseasonof
life orbusiness,mentoringwouldmake senseforthem.
Here are a fewof the mostimportantqualitiesof aMentee:
1. A true desire tobe mentored
2. The love of learning
3. Self awareness
4. Teachableness
Is thisyou?Or is thisthe “you” thatyou wantto be?Don’t letfearor die-hardindependence be
an obstacle togivingmentoringatry.
Findinga Mentor
Oftentimesyouhearmotivational speakerstalkingabouthow importantitistohave a mentor
and we ask,“Well where dowe findthem?” Thiscan be a challenge.If youwanttofinda
mentorthenyoumust fullydecidethatyouwantone.Once you have made that decision,then
youhave just activatedone of the bestsearchenginesavailable. Whollyfocuseddesiresopen
the eyesto see opportunitiesandtohave the practical faithto stepintothem.Donot be
surprisedwhenyoubegintosee relational doorsthatcanleadyou to mentoringrelationships.
But be selective towhomyouallow tothe mentorlevel of influence.
What makes a great Mentor?
A mentoringrelationshipisarare commodityandwe needtotreatit withthe utmostcare. It
can be sowonderful tofindyourself beingmentoredorsponsored.A greatmentordrawsout
the bestin us,challengingustotake our dreamsseriously. Theydonotneedto be an Albert
Einsteinforyourlife.Butthere are certainqualitiesthatseemtobe sterlingformentors:
1. Maturity & goodpractical judgment
2. Caringand safe
3. A goodconnectionwithyourheartand personality
4. Available &approachable
5. Committedtoyoursuccess
A trulygreat mentorisone whoinspiresus,andchallengesustotrulybelieve ourowndreams.
Designed& SpontaneousMentoring
Perhapswhenyouthinkof mentoring,youconsideradesignedrelationshipof mutual
commitmentwithtalksovercoffeeona regularbasis.Thisiscertainlyvalidanddynamically
transformational.Butthere isalsothe unplannedmentoringwherethe Lordusessomeone or
evena groupto greatlyinfluence us withinsightandsupport.RecentlyIwasat a Vistage CEO
peeradvisorygroupof whichI am a memberinSacramento. I am new to the groupand don’t

2. knowthe memberswell,butwhenIsharedthe challengeI amfacingwitha new business
venture,Iwasliterallyblownawayatthe multifacetedwisdomandsupportthatwasgivento
me.It was a spontaneousmomentandof greatersignificance thatIimagined.Iamgrateful to
have beendeeplymentoredbythe group at a crucial time inmy business.
Coaching & Mentoring
Coachingskillsare absolutelyideal formentoringsince theyhelpnourishindependence and
responsibilityinapartneringorientation.Intuitive listening,believinginthe person,challenging,
goal settingandfindingthe agendaof the heartare justa few toolsthatdovetail smoothlyinto
the skillsof extraordinarymentoring.
Goingalone isa greatlyoverratedconcept.We ashumansare designedtosupporteachother.
Support,encouragementandreceivingoutsideperspective fromothersisadynamicboostfor
us inour businessandlife challenges. Letme challenge youtodayto searchfor yourmentors.
Thisis the secretwayof life where youcanbecome the verybestyou.
“A mentorempowersapersontosee a possible future,andbelieveitcanbe obtained.”
ShawnHitchcock
Martin Flack, Vistage Chair,ExecutiveCoachandinternationalspeakerwithRiverstoneCoaching
& Consulting,LLC
*Endurance News Magazine,The Magic of MentoringSpecial Issue August2016,
AmericanEndurance Ride Conference (Title phrase idea)