What is the difference between a good mentor and a GREAT mentor?
The basic question everyone has to face at some point in time is “Where do you want to go with your life?” If you have the answer to that question, you are on the way to breaking every stereotype and barrier for teens. Unfortunately, most of us are not lucky enough to have an answer to that question. We need people to guide us in this crucial phase of our life: MENTORS.
“A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.”
Oprah Winfrey
Every single teen out there resists mentors saying “Mentoring is not essential. I can figure everything out on my own.” Mentors guide you, enlighten you, await you, and help you reach for the stars. The most influential individuals from Aristotle to Bill Gates had mentors in their corner, inspiring them and fueling their passion.
Can role models and personalities be mentors? The answer to this question is yeah, of course. Mahatma Gandhi mentored Nelson Mendela, even though the two never met. Mendela was inspired by Gandhi’s work, achievements, and books. They did not have Masterclasses or Youtube videos to connect or to explain their life’s work. Mentoring and mentor networks are very easy to access now. So, why not take a shovel and dig into the gold mine which is mentorship.
What is expected of a mentor? One. His/her overwhelming passion in that particular subject. It’s that twinkle in their eye when they are talking about their passion. They can go on and on for hours blabbering about that one topic. Second is their trust in your ability and skill. Mentors trust your capacity to receive knowledge more than you do. Third, their willingness to share their own expertise and life stories for the benefit of the mentee. Those are the basic characteristics of a good mentor. GREAT mentors have those characteristics plus a few other impressive add-ons.
“A great mentor is someone who will not let you take the easy way out EVER”
John Madden
Stated the harsh truth in one of his most well known quotes: “The road to easy street goes through the sewer.” It isn’t easy staying up all night working, it’s easier to give up and party with your friends. But one thing’s for sure: taking the easy way out, going down the easy street, results in being stuck in the doldrums forever. Outstanding mentors put your interests ahead of everything. Being stubborn and rough are just part of the job description.
Great mentors provide different viewpoints to your creative ideas. The best ideas don’t arise from one person casually pondering upon concepts. Creativity is inspired by many factors: your ideas, the person next to you’s ideas, experience, brainstorming, and of course that whiteboard. Mentors are marvelous panelists. They praise and give you constructive criticism. They’re that one person with enthusiasm of twenty.
Great mentors put importance on your opinions and learn from you as well. As teenagers, we feel ignored. Our perfectly illogical theories are completely irrelevant to every rational conversation. Sometimes we just need someone to sit next to us and listen patiently to our budding ideas.
Great mentors know when to halt on giving advice. If they feel as though the advice will be too much to handle, they will not go through with it. They “hit the pause button” on guidance and let you struggle and succeed until you are ready for their advice.
Finally, great mentors don’t expect you to follow every piece of advice they give you. They let you stumble and contemplate on the problem to understand your view on it. They yearn for you to be able to function without any assistance.
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”
Helen Keller
Humanity did not evolve because of one person alone. Change is made by hundreds of people working together to execute the change. Of course, everyone can talk about that one person who made it to become a billionaire alone. But, for the humble, average human, we need great mentors to enlighten us and build us up in our journey to be successful.