I Have a Mentor
An Excerpt from a soon-to-be-published book
Actually, I have more than one mentor, but all are equally important to me. I turn to my mentors when I need advice. These mentors are not always aware of when I’m in need, but that’s because I don’t call them – I recall something they have said or did to get some of the answers I seek. Sometimes I socialize with my mentors, not always in person but am still listening to them and taking in what they say or have read something they wrote that I save for use at a later date – never know though, when that date will arrive.
My mentors don’t pick me rather, I pick them. They are young, old, male, and female. I have known many of them for years and others, just recent acquaintances. When I pick them, they are not aware that I am doing so; it is that discreet. They have said something wise or have taught me something that has enhanced my life, but in any case, they are selfless, and their only motive is to share something useful with the rest of the world – “they are giving back.”
When my mentors witness me in error, they are not judgmental, and when correcting me, they don’t point out the actual error. Instead, they bring attention to alternative points of view, allowing me to make another, more sound decision that will give me a more desirable outcome. I guess it’s like math – indeed, an equation that requires calculated risks to realize the desired change.
My mentors are not afraid to tell me what their opinion is on controversial subjects and don’t try to sway my belief in the process. It is just an exchange of ideas. They treat me with respect, and as I watch them, I see that they respect everyone. What they give to the world is indiscriminate with no prerequisites for receiving – it’s based on needs only. They are keenly aware of their imperfections and embrace the chance to improve them.
My mentors know how to criticize without being contemptuous. They understand the difference between the two words, and no one is destructive to relationships. To the many mentors on my list, I would like to thank you for knowing that doing the right thing is not the exception rather the norm.
Stealth learning by: Mike WIllbur
