Mentors That Make A Mark

I went from not even recognizing a mentor when I met one, to being a purpose-driven mentee, after two weeks of mentorship. I can’t put a price on how valuable the experience has been. I’ll tell you my life-changing lesson, so that you can make the most of your mentorship too.

I was on a work assignment in the Middle East, an enthusiastic, hungry-to-learn, eager-to-impress business consultant, and here I was paired with someone who had clearly won at life. My mentor had not only been a leader at one of the world’s biggest multinational corporations in the US, but was now also an entrepreneur, who could retire any time he wished because of multiple smart investments. More importantly, he had built relationships and a family life that most people only dream of. Needless to say, I soaked up all the life lessons, every single ounce I could learn.

When you have a mentor, you feel as if you’re the one continuously asking questions. But one night, after working many long hours together to deliver for a client, my mentor asked me a question that would stay with me for years. He asked: ”So how did you do it? I notice still waters run deep with you. What’s made you become successful, in business, in personal relationships, in knowing yourself?” I was stumped because I was surprised by the question. I think I replied something lame like, “I’ve always tried hard and have great support.” I didn’t realize at the time, that my mentor wasn’t actually expecting me to have it all figured out. He wanted me to always ask myself the right questions. He wanted me to strive to know myself.

Years have passed, and the lesson continues to be the gift that keeps on giving. If my mentor asked me that same question today, I think I’d have a much better answer. I’d say to my mentor, that my special skill is my ability to learn. That I win by sharing the success of that learning with others. So that they can be the best version of themselves. I’ve made a difference to them, that’s something they’ll always remember. And to me, that’s legacy.