“Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.”
Japanese Proverb
Attracting and retaining great people is one of the hardest tasks a manager faces.
As studies show it takes much more than monetary rewards (salaries, bonuses,
profit sharing, etc.) to demonstrate to people they play a meaningful role in your
organization. The task requires planning and a proactive approach in which
mentoring can play a central role.
The term mentor has been thrown around in many arenas over the past few years
from managers and coaches to teachers and consultants. Webster defines mentor as
a trusted counselor or guide but I prefer Oprah’s definition, “A mentor is someone
who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.”
In athletics a mentor can serve as a trusted guide for a younger player. The Mentor
Project, produced by Charles Schwab, is a wonderful series of videos showcasing
respected PGA Tour players advising younger pros on the keys to success. In the
first episode PGA veteran Tom Lehman tells PGA Tour player Kevin Streelman
success on the Tour “is not a shot in the dark, it’s a process.” And who better to teach
that process than Lehman himself, a five time PGA Tour winner and 2006 Ryder Cup
captain. Streelman is certainly in good hands.
Just like success on the PGA Tour, success in the Club Management industry is not a
shot in the dark , it is a process that requires thought, action, review and adjustment.
A mentor can assist with each of these steps to ensure a manager stays on track and
achieves their goals. Part coach, part friend, part Jedi master, the right mentor can
recognize strengths, encourage success, and facilitate achievement through strategy,
techniques and experience.
To learn more about mentoring I highly suggest The Art of Mentoring by Shirley
Peddy and Monday Morning Leadership by David Cottrell both available through
Amazon. I’m curious to know your thoughts on mentoring and would love to hear
your stories, please feel free comment below or send me an email.