Why M(mentor) comes before this P

What do I mean? Success in leadership and success in the PEOPLE, needs an M. Mentor's. One of the biggest missed opportunities in your own growth as well as the growth of those you lead is a lack of either having a mentor or becoming a mentor to other's.

In my early stage career, a gentleman, took me under his wing and became my very first mentor. Jack Hamlin, the VP of human resources. The fact I can remember his name, the fact I knew he was an ex-marine and the fact I use to this day his teachings , speaks to his impact on my life and my career.

Mentors help you learn just by listening sometimes, by sharing the what if's, allowing you a safe space to talk about your fears and concerns without the impact on your own career. You need to become a mentor to other's as well. The best way to really learn is by being a mentor. QUICK TIP: how do you find a mentor, who do you respect , not just in your work environment but in your life and ask them , the biggest compliment you can ever give a person is to ask them to be your mentor.

Want to really learn your job or feel compelled to learn more and get better, be a mentor. The internal desire to help someone else and not let them down, makes you even better, makes you "learn" Great leaders, are great mentors. Show me someone that you admire as a leader, and I bet they are a mentor and they have a mentor.

Jack Hamlin taught me a simple lesson, people want to feel appreciated. He told me everyone likes money so of course , when they do great work a nice bonus to take home helps, but if you want to really have them grow, have them become a better team player or build them into something more, take the time to hand write them a note, just a random, you really are doing an amazing job, and something that tell's them you see what they are doing. He was right, simple but massive impact. Be a mento, find a mentor!