If you cannot see where you are going, ask someone who has been there before

Mentoring for Personal Development

Mentoring is a relationship in which a more experienced person (the mentor) provides guidance and support to a less experienced person (the mentee). Mentors typically share their knowledge, skills, and experience with their mentees, and help them to develop their careers and personal lives. But the mentor does not take part in your journey your goals or your future; they are there solely to share information.

Mentoring has ancient roots tracing back to Greek mythology. The story goes that ‘Mentor’ was Odysseus’s friend. Whenever Odysseus went on a journey, he would entrust his son Telemachus to Mentor to share his wisdom and advice whilst the father was not home.

Today’s understanding of mentoring has evolved but still has at its core – wisdom and the sharing of that with another.

For me, mentoring starts with the need for something greater than one has at a specific time in one’s life. A famous quote reads: “If you cannot see where you are going, ask someone who has been there before.”

From that quote one leads to the next step which is to find the right mentor/s. Not just the right mentor/s but the right one for you. There is experience and wisdom all over but we are inspired by the people we look up to.

Mentors seldom seek mentees. It is the mentee that is looking for a mentor. For a mentee, you will look for the mentor/s who will have done it themselves and who will pass and share their learnings with you and you then will make it your own. In a way, it is mining their mind to get what you need for your journey.

As a mentor, I appreciate Steven Spielberg’s notion of mentoring: “The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image, but giving them the opportunity to create themselves.”

Thus as a mentee, you could learn from many mentors at the same time even.

Always be very specific in what you have come for from this mentor. The world has changed since the mentor had their successes. The mentor has different life goals and unique desires. You have to now nit-pick through all of that information and design something from what they have shared and make it very personal to achieve your own goals.

Mentoring empowers you, fosters learning, and contributes to your personal and career success and development.

Any Of These Sound Familiar?

task_altI have not done this before – what about speaking to someone who navigated similar challenges and found personal growth?

task_altI am new to this industry – how will I master this effectively and efficiently as quickly as possible?

task_altI admire ‘so&so’ – how can I be more like them?

task_altWhat if I had a dad that shared his experiences and wisdom?

task_altWhere will I get the advice I need to not make the mistakes so many know but I still have to learn?

Stanford allowed me to take an honest non-defensive view of myself through the eyes and perceptions of others within the organisation. Stanford was compassionate in his approach to help me focus on change and self-improvement. This allowed me to take an honest assessment of myself and put my goals and aspirations into context for the future. The end result was amazing in the fact that I was able to change my communication and management style for the better as well as the perceptions of my subordinates and peers across the organisation. My self-awareness has grown and allowed me to become a much more effective executive, leader and mentor.

— JOHN S – EXECUTIVE COACHING CLIENT (CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA)

Coaching with Stanford has made me see myself more objectively. I have changed my leadership approach and style to get the job done although it doesn’t come naturally. Stanford provided the tools I need to understand how others perceive me. With this, I now adjust my actions and modify my behaviours for increasingly positive results. These essential lessons will stay with me as I continue to climb the leadership ladder.

— MICHAEL Z – ENTREPRENEURIAL COACHING CLIENT (LIMA, PERU)

Stanford was recommendation by a friend. At the time, I wanted to start a new business. He guided me into vision, strategy and action. The business was and still is a success. I committed to my coach and he is the best independent business partner with only my needs at heart. Thanks for this Stanford. Talk to you next week.

— GEORGE A – CAREER COACHING CLIENT (LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM)