Be a Mentor

Just go and do it. Be a mentor. It's that simple!...

Ok, ok, maybe it's not that simple, but being a mentor is one of the best leadership building activities EVER. Think about it for a second. You're a Young leader with tons of ambition, ready to take on the world... But you want a little direction; you want to see some of the pitfalls that lie ahead; you want to know the best ways to achieve your goals quickly. How do you get this information?

The short answer is, it's not Google or the internet (those these can help... some). No the best answer is from a mentor, someone who has already gone through what you're going through. Now, now, don't go about conjuring up images of wizened old men with long white beards. Mentors come in all shapes and sizes, and there are plenty of mentoring opportunities for Young Leaders.

Supposed you're in college. Then, you probably know tons of high school students who want advice on what classes to take, colleges to look at, good after school jobs, and etc... But then maybe you're still in high school. Well there are plenty of middle and elementary school kids who could use a "big brother" or "big sister" to show them the value of education or help them resist negative peer pressure. To put it simply, no matter what stage of life you are in, there is always someone who would like to learn about your experiences, and I'm sure there are times in your life where you felt the same way.

Being a mentor is also an amazing feeling. Not only will you feel good because you are helping someone else along in their careers or lives, you will never forget the appreciation and respect that your mentees will show you.

Even more, as a Young Leader and a mentor, you will also be able to practice your leadership skills, by listening to what they want and helping them to shape their own personal vision and setting the goals that they need to achieve it.

So the take away is to go and be a mentor! Just remember not to just go up to a school and tell a teacher, "I want to mentor some of your kids for a few hours." People will think you're some kind of weirdo. :-) Start simple. There are probably younger people in your own family that already look up to you for advice and guidance. If not, reach out to your network of extended family and friends. Finally, remember that being a mentor isn't about "being older" or "wiser" it just means sharing your experiences with those who want to listen.

Comments are well appreciated. Leave your stories about being a mentor / having a mentor!

-Jason