Leonardo Di Vinci, Wolfgang Mozart, Ben Franklin, John Keats, Thomas Edison, the Wright Brothers, Albert Einstein, Martha Graham, Caesar Rodriguez, Yoky Matsuoka and John Coltrane -- What do they each share in common, besides being undisputed masters in their respective fields? They each relied on mentors and
In his book, Mastery, Robert Greene expands on just that discovery—those who have made mastery their aim had mentors. In a review of the biographies of great masters of their trade, each had the guiding presence of a mentor. All of these leaders, although we know them for their individual achievements and performances, were followers of others. They knew the benefits of gleaning directly from credible teachers who had time, expertise, and capacity to transfer what they were and what they knew into the lives of protégés.
I view the Presence, Practice and Performance as the three legs of executive capacity.
This is not only true for the lives of folks who are notable historically. It is most likely true in our own lives.
if mastery is an aim in some aspect of your life, it is possible mentoring may satisfy a need. At least, it is an opportunity to gain an advantage.
Mentoring gives the one being mentored an edge.
In this blog-based conversation you find yourself reading, it is my hope that more and more mentors would join the fray. Of course, the concept of mentoring is shrouded in mist and mystique. I hope this conversation will blow away some of the needless fog around this ancient art of people-building, and result in an increasing number of thoughtful leaders who adopt a lifestyle of relational investment in others.
Consider becoming a mentor if…
…there is an area of practice or thought, in which you know you could—or perhaps others know you could—be increasingly able to make a contribution in the lives of others through your competencies.
…you have at least a few people around you who would benefit from learning from you around your areas of increasing competency.
…you have come to the spiritual conclusion that enriching the lives of others through the gifts of time, attention, and training will enrich your life.
No one needs a mentor or coach. Yet, most of the great masters seem to have had one.