Mentorship

This week I’ve been asked to share some of my career history with the SportsETA Mentoring Community. While I’m humbled to be asked to participate in this program, it’s also a bit intimidating to prepare for a session like this. Trying to anticipate the questions that will be sent my way will be a challenge. Also making sure the discussion is lively and engaging will be critical as well.

Luckily, the leaders of this effort have provided me with some preliminary questions to help get things started. The one I’d like to spend today’s Monday Huddle Up on is about mentorship. Their three questions on that topic included this one…..

“Did you have a mentor early in your career, and if so, how did that relationship impact you?”

I’ve been fortunate throughout my life to have had numerous people invest in me. The wisdom and time that I’ve been able to “borrow” from these people have been instrumental in the success I’ve had. They have also been helpful when there were more losses than wins so to speak. Taking a page out of our most recent book, here is a thought for you on mentorship.

Everyone is a mentor, whether you know it or not.

Everyone is a mentee, whether you know it or not.

People are always watching and making mental notes of what they see. How people act and react, how they treat people, how they handle conflict, and even what they wear to church (that last one is a true story in my life, for another time).

Those that have blazed the trail before you will engage and provide positive influence if they like what they see. If there is passion and potential there, mentors will naturally materialize. If they see dysfunction or a lack of teamwork, they will likely spend their emotional capital elsewhere.

My belief is that attracting mentors isn’t a thing of luck. Most often it’s a situation where a leader makes an intentional decision to invest their resources into someone’s journey based on what they experience with that person. Those that have a glass half full mentality will likely attract more support than those that are more negative.

Take luck out of the equation. Bring a positive attitude. Invest in others, and others will invest in you.