Are you learning AND teaching?

I've had two wonderful mentoring experiences - one of which I mentioned at the AH Lunch. I had the opportunity, in 2004, to participate in the local high school's "practicum" program, in which I mentored a young woman interested in a career in either journalism or marketing. She worked with me for four months on a part-time basis. It was a great experience for her, and also for me as a mentor.

While I had managed others in my days in the corporate world, this was different. One thing I realized was that "managing" and "nurturing" are two very different things.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, I have had the honor of being mentored (for several years now) by a highly respected book designer in New York City. He has taught me a great deal about graphic design in general, but also the fine points of typesetting and page compositing required by the major publishing houses. Having him as an ongoing "sounding board" has been priceless.

The dance between having a mentor and being a mentee is priceless as well. It's the "circle game" that keeps us all learning and growing!

Make your day magnificent!

Linda

Greetings,

I love getting these.  I read with interest and very much enjoy the initial post.  I have yet to attend an event, no excuses other than I have been trying to find a job for five months now.

I have mentored most of my career.  If it isn't youth at the highschool or church, it has been in training and mentoring "green peas" at work.

I have been in safety and security and operations for most of my career.  Before you say I am old, I am 46... for the first time in my career I am concerned that perhaps age is starting to impact my job search...I certainly hope I am wrong.

One of the best parts of mentoring has been that you learn new things as well.  You mentor but what has happened to me time and time again is that someone with fresh blood and less experience will throw one of those "silly" ideas out there and I will think...hmmm....I wish I would have thought of that!  Perhaps this is the prime example of continuous improvement?

I am wondering how many people reading this might be unemployed... At this point in my career I am starting to think that Dreams are important.  Perhaps it is time to do something I enjoy for a change rather than always focusing on paying the bills.

If you are out there and have experience in the clothing industry, I am looking to develop a dream or a concept for outdoor clothing and clothing for people who love the outdoors. 

Guess what?  I get these ideas... I have little marketing experience but I did meet someone cool from this site  - Sarah Worsham

CEO & Co-Founder
Sazbean Consulting
sazbeanconsulting.com
blog: sazbean.com
saz@sazbean.com
248-707-9666

I dont want to honk her horn but she was very kind to me. I had sent an email to nearly every member of this group and she was the only person who responded.

If you have business experience, know how to start a grass roots, and willing to put up with someone with fantastic ideas (OK  so I have a little ADD or ADHD)  I work harder and get results.  Im not greedy..if someone is interested in a partnership I am fine with that.  I already have some artwork, I have a logo, have a fantastic art guy, just need someone to push a little.

I guess I need some mentoring... Sarah can more than put the thing on the Web and make it happen...

Take care,

Blair

The key, I believe, is to remain humble so you're open to opportunities that you haven't yet identified.

There is no one so gifted they can't learn anything from you, nor are you so gifted you can't learn something from others.

Every time you participate in a learning event as either the facilitator/mentor or the participant/mentee, internally you are in a different place than the last time you participate.  Thus the opportunity for growth is always present.

Live to Learn.

Stella

It is my personal belief that in order to remain a subject matter expert on a particular topic that continuous learning and insight would always be welcome. 

Attending conferences/training/speaking engagements in an area of expertise creates the ability to remain current and contemporary, and to extract additional details or strategies that allow those that are "teacher's" to strive for excellence in reaching their varied audiences.

Continuous learning fosters the ability to mastermind with like minded individuals and to receive feedback for future modification and refinement of topics.

Therefore, anytime an individual has the luxury of experience and exposure to different perspectives on a particular subject, it would be of benefit, even if only one new idea was generated as a result of such connection.

Hello Stephaine Hello

Welcome.

Bahaa Kachi

www.kachikreations.com

I am fortunate enough to have one client that cares enough about learning that she actually sits in on every class that I facilitate for her organization.  She is also a very experienced and talented facilitator and at the end of every class we discuss the session, as well as, my approach to it.  I have learned so much from her ideas by simply being open to them.

Personally, I try to never present myself as an "expert".  I always want to be seen as someone that is open to new ideas and approaches.  I frequently tell participants in my sessions that I am there to facilitate a lesson and also learn from their experiences and ideas (that may even end up in a future class).  I feel I get much more participation from this approach then trying to appear as the one with all the answers.

I believe this happens in more areas of my life than just my career.  As a mother I am constantly teaching my two young girls  a variety of things and I know that at the same time I am learning from them.  Children learn by modeling and so when I see them doing things that I like, I can be thankful that we are teaching them right or exposing them to the right people.  However, on the flip side, if I see them do something that I don't like.  Then I need to ultimately turn my finger towards me and make the change and ultimately they will as well.

Yours in Health

Pam

From wikipedia:  "the word mentor: a trusted friend, counselor or teacher, usually a more experienced person. Some professions have "mentoring programs" in which newcomers are paired with more experienced people in order to obtain good examples and advice as they advance, and schools sometimes have mentoring programs for new students or students who are having difficulties."

A few months ago, I came to a realization that I, as an employee had changed (after 7 years with my company, I was at a point I didn't care whether I got laid off)  and started down a path to  understand why and how this had happen.  Realizing some of it has been the way I am treated and managed at work.  I started down a path of discovery of what would make me happier.  Starting to consider a job change or opening my own business, I started networking to learn more and make new connections.  I really didn't consciously think I was looking for mentors - but that's exactly what I am doing in a sense.   I must say I have come in contact with some great mentors at Motor City Connect and the Shrine Career Network events. 

I have learned a lot  and hope to continue learning!

Vicki

MCC allows each and every one of us an opportunity to find our voice. It allows us to share information and learn from other's posts. In a sence it is one huge mentoring group where people can feel free to ask and give depending on their need or core expertise. It is becoming a go-to place where people who want to give can find a multitude of opportunities to help and people who need help can ask knowing that the group will strive to assist. We have the potential to be both mentor and mentored here and that's kinda nice, don't you think?

I agree with something John Blair said in his post. Sometimes we can learn the most from the people with the least experience. Over 30 plus years in sales I've learned as much from rookies as I've learned from seasoned professionals. If you are mentoring a new employee and are asked why something is so, think about it, the rookies are looking at your presentation to learn why your product or service is better and so is your customer and they might have the same questions. You might not be covering the bases as completely as you think you are. If a rookie has a question take it as an opportunity to shore up holes in you presentation that may create doubts in your customer,s mind.

Remember a question may mean there is doubt and people who know less than you can be the best mentors of all.

Just a thought.

Here is a thought that I had had...

A good mentor is not not a person who teaches cook book steps to do some thing. A good mentor actually guides the other person to think by themselves in achieving those steps !

We can learn so much from those who are allowed to think for themselves. Isn't that called orpgress? Give guidance but also ask for feedback. A fresh look at things can sometimes help a mentor dig out of a rut they had no idea they were in.

You bring up an excellent point, Duane - that we sometimes get "lost" in our own perception of "the way it is," and those we mentor, or otherwise work with can teach us a great deal.

I believe we are all teachers and students of each other, regardless of our age, education or experience.

Couple points:

When it comes to mentoring I kind of have an alternative view. I have been on both sides and both are rewarding. I think that the one thing that I always keep in mind though is that sometimes it is not about what knowledge you bring to the table. It is about the people you invite to come to the table with you.  Constantly we try to learn more and lose grasp of the concept that life isn’t about knowing the answers, but it is not always about knowing where and how to find them. Going off that philosophy I have been able to grow not only in my own career but help the people around me. My favorite part of my job is meeting different people and seeing how we all fit together, the key to success is diversification. So my advice to everyone is next time you meet someone don’t think of it as just another person but yet another mentor, teacher and student.

John, in regards to your comment about grassroots I would love to help you. Believe it or not I actually help out companies in my spare time for fun. I have ran the grassroots division here for a year and a half and met some amazing people because of it. Feel free to either email me at britton.Meghan@gmail.com or call 734.262.6128.

“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” - Henry Ford

seeking someone who shares the voice in your head is a fit of brilliance....understanding that the opportunity exists is nirvana.....doing it is often petrifying....in the end, those that seek the opportunity to teach those willing to listen and to listen to those capable of teaching are the truly enlightened.