The Secret Mentor

Mentor was the person entrusted by Odysseus to look after his household and act as a trusted adviser to his son whilst he was off becoming the subject of Homer's Odyssey fighting the Trojan Wars.

A little while ago as I was fare-welling a young colleague moving onto other pastures I was flattered to have him thank me for teaching him things when he observed my behaviour. Flattered because I wasn't aware of it, and grateful because he took the time to say that to me. It got me thinking about some of the people who were perhaps unknowing mentors to me throughout a long working life and it occurred to me that most of them would have been unaware of the influence they have had on my life because either I didn't take the time to thank them, or, their example was set at a distance beyond any day to day interaction I may have had with them.

Many were coppers, some great investigators, some great administrators, but all of them had terrific communication skills and taught me the valuing of listening and hearing what people say to you. In policing, much of the interaction you have with people is at a time when they are in crisis or suffering in some way, and, facing an authority figure is often stressful, so open your ears and display the calmness and respect that you would hope you receive in the same position.

Others gave me opportunities for growth and through their faith in me and my abilities took me in directions I'd never even considered. Some of them were people I worked with, others who shared that volunteer hunger that feeds a desire in many of us to be useful.

Still others gave me the gift of not micro-managing, allowing me to make my own mistakes but being there for support when I needed it. Being able to recognise when the failure to complete work to a normal standard might be due to influences outside work is important. I learnt that you must tune in to the nuances of behaviour so aberrations can be managed and success celebrated thus encouraging positive traits and allowing them to grow.

I am not saying that I have been a great mentor, knowingly or secretly, but I am grateful that there are people who have seen me as a positive influence and for that I will always be beholden to those that showed me qualities I have been able to admire and aspire to.

To secret mentors everywhere, I thank you and salute you.