Wed, Aug 19, 2009
You Need a Coach
Wisdom is gained either through pain or by a mentor. Mentors are put into your life to help you advance beyond the normal process of life lessons. Don’t make the mistake to think that Mentors are there to pat you on the back and caress your failures. Mentors correct, rebuke, sharpen, and impart into your life. They’re more like a coach, their not your buddy.
You may never meet some of your Mentors in life. You may simply read their lessons of wisdom. Those you do meet and get to know, practice protocol in relationship with them:
1. Don’t become familiar with your Mentor. The easiest way to forfeit a relationship in life is to become familiar with a person. Solomon said, “Seldom set foot in your neighbors house, to much of you, he will hate you.” The hometown of Jesus was so familiar with Him that He could not be the gift of God that they needed Him to be (Mark 6).
2. When you have access to your Mentor, respect his time. Never show up late for an appointment! Be prepared to ask the questions that you need answered but also be flexible enough to allow him to just talk. Hidden nuggets of wisdom is found in the ebb and flow of conversation. Know how to excuse yourself from the meeting properly. Everyone should practice the art of a good exit.
3. Don’t offend your Mentor by not being prepared to meet him. Read everything that he has ever written. Know his story. Don’t attempt vain flattery – your mentor doesn’t need it nor does it actually mean anything. Your Mentor knows immediately whether you value his words and advise.
Not long ago, I was advising a protege when one of his staff members asked me a question. The question was not intended to get an answer but to leave the impression that he was intelligent. Unfortunately for him, I had written a book on the subject. I simply turned to him and suggested that he read my book to find the answer to his question.
You will have many Mentors throughout your lifetime for various seasons and different purposes. Use protocol in relationship with them and always show gratitude for their investment into your life.
You may never meet some of your Mentors in life. You may simply read their lessons of wisdom. Those you do meet and get to know, practice protocol in relationship with them:
1. Don’t become familiar with your Mentor. The easiest way to forfeit a relationship in life is to become familiar with a person. Solomon said, “Seldom set foot in your neighbors house, to much of you, he will hate you.” The hometown of Jesus was so familiar with Him that He could not be the gift of God that they needed Him to be (Mark 6).
2. When you have access to your Mentor, respect his time. Never show up late for an appointment! Be prepared to ask the questions that you need answered but also be flexible enough to allow him to just talk. Hidden nuggets of wisdom is found in the ebb and flow of conversation. Know how to excuse yourself from the meeting properly. Everyone should practice the art of a good exit.
3. Don’t offend your Mentor by not being prepared to meet him. Read everything that he has ever written. Know his story. Don’t attempt vain flattery – your mentor doesn’t need it nor does it actually mean anything. Your Mentor knows immediately whether you value his words and advise.
Not long ago, I was advising a protege when one of his staff members asked me a question. The question was not intended to get an answer but to leave the impression that he was intelligent. Unfortunately for him, I had written a book on the subject. I simply turned to him and suggested that he read my book to find the answer to his question.
You will have many Mentors throughout your lifetime for various seasons and different purposes. Use protocol in relationship with them and always show gratitude for their investment into your life.
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