Chris Treftlin – Shine at Home

When we talk about mentoring, we are really expecting a transfer of experience and knowledge, and who has more experience and knowledge then a senior. When we discuss mentoring there is a natural affinity between someone, typically younger, and a senior. Imagine a person that had a long and successful career as a teacher, accountant, doctor, pastor, welder, police officer, firefighter, the list is endless, being able to pass on this wealth of understanding, knowledge, and experience. Who would you rather be, the graduate with a piece of paper, or that same graduate with the support and knowledge of a mentor?

This is not a friendship, although it can be. It is not companionship, although it can be and usually is. That is what it is not. What mentoring is, what true mentoring is at its core is a passing on of profound experience, and by the passing on of this profound experience the person receiving the knowledge, the mentee, will never be the same. They are benefiting to a much deeper degree then if they had just sat in a classroom and passed tests. Formal education is vitally important to be sure, however mentoring takes that formal knowledge farther, much farther.

So important is mentoring that some organizations have formal programs built into their business practices. In these organizations new recruits are paired with experienced and successful existing employees. They have regular meetings and discuss all the things the newbie would need to navigate the organization.

In this article we are not talking about anything that formal. It could be, but it is not necessary.

Let us go back to a great movie that demonstrates the power of mentoring. Everyone remembers The Karate Kid. The relationship between Mr. Miyagi the mentor, and Daniel LaRusso the mentee was the focus of the story. A coming-of-age tale that demonstrated the importance of mentoring. Everyone remembers “Wax On Wax-Off”. The senior, more experienced Miyagi had to move Daniel to the true understanding of the art of Karate. More then that he stood along side the young LaRusso as he met and overcame the challenges placed before him. You see that is what mentoring is, standing with the mentee. The mentor does not fight the battles, but rather teaches their pupil how to.

Wax on – Wax off

So, that is mentoring. We can easily see the benefits that occur for the individual being mentored. The rest of this article will focus on how the mentor benefits. I have written many times about purpose. This is in a word, what happens for the seniors mentoring.  I greater sense of self worth.  An opportunity to contribute, to make a difference. 

Here is a thought.  Something to consider.  In Japan a senior is revered.  That is, they are honoured in society for their contribution.  Please reflect on the word “honoured”.  As such, what a senior has to offer is given weight and importance.  Going back to my comments on the Karate Kid.  Mr. Miyagi revered his parents, and he was bringing that into his relationship with Daniel.  Only Daniel didn’t know it.  Do we revere our seniors?  Do we honour them for their contribution to society?  In Japan there is a national holiday dedicated to seniors.  Worth considering perhaps. 

Search your individual communities for programs that can offer a real mentoring opportunity.  They are out there.  Not as many as there should be perhaps.  Here is an idea.  Why don’t you start one.

^{Chris Treftlin is the founder of Shine at Home}