The Power of a Mentor

Growing up we idolize athletes, super heroes, actors etc. Whether we realize it or not, those people’s actions have a life-long finger print on our lives. For parents this can be a nightmare if they find their child idolizing the villains or say a hockey player caught for cheating in his sport, or and actor using their fame negatively. As we mature, we can only hope that we keep the positive attributes closer to heart than the negative. Having a mentor is truly one of the most important things to have in life.

Choosing My Board of Directors
When I was 28, I founded my first company and my lawyer insisted that I appoint a board of directors to give my young company guidance and direction as it matured. As I sat back to evaluate positive influencers in my life that I could go to for guidance, I found myself coming up short. Sure, there are the obvious parental mentors, or business affiliates—but at my young age I needed a board that could give me perspective and want for nothing but for me to succeed.

I looked around and picked up a book of portraits taken by famous photographer, Yousuf Karsh. Flipping through, I immediately had the idea to cut out the photos of John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Ernest Hemingway, and Gandhi. I framed these four portraits and hung them next to my desk. As my business face challenges, I would ask each one of them what they would do about a particular issue. Each one had their role in guiding me: JFK was my business advisor; MLK my arbiter on what was right and wrong; Gandhi my spiritual guide; and Hemingway—well, he gave me permission to have a little fun. Whenever I felt a little unsure of what to do next—I held a board meeting with my mentors.

Choosing Your Mentors

It doesn’t matter whether your mentors are alive, a friend, or even real. The fact is that this person must be able to contribute a positive unselfish outlook on what it is you are seeking help. Once I had chosen my mentors for their obvious attributes, I did further research on career and life decisions they had made. I felt as if I knew them and was seeking help from a friend.

As I said, MLK is my arbitrator of right and wrong. When morally conflicted he would be there to help guide me. Though, the right choice wasn’t always the easiest, it would be in the best interest of me or my company. He selflessly guides me as a mentor should (granted he is no longer living). As Dan Rather once said, “the dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called ‘truth’.” Sometime we have to hear what we try to ignore.Though sometimes unpleasant, our mentors are there to help. It is vital that your mentor or mentors truly want to see you succeed. It is sad to say, but there are people out there who will befriend you and offer you advice with ulterior motives. Mark Twain advised, “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions…” A mentor needs to be someone you trust wholly. They need to inspire you.

Success to everyone looks different. The power of a mentor can ignite your success above and beyond, whether in business or in life. I believe that the support, encouragement and love of the people in your life are absolutely vital to success in the nth degree.