When I was 27, with my self-awareness and worldview vastly exaggerated in my own mind, I suddenly became the CEO of Manpower Limited. Possessing nothing but raw ambition, self-confidence and limited skills, I launched into my new role.
The reason I found myself in this situation was because a remarkable man by the name of James Scheinfeld saw something in me that others didn’t. He chose to take a gamble on me – and it paid off. From a standing start, over the next 14 years, we built an international business that grew to 72,000 full and part-time employees.
The only reason that this success happened was that I had two gifts – a mentor and a sponsor – embodied in the same person. Among others, Jim Scheinfeld changed my life. In fact, as I look back, any successes that I have had have all been directly enabled by a mentor and a sponsor, whether it was a new client that believed in me, a publisher that wanted a book of mine to succeed, a spouse from whom I could learn and grow, an organization trusting me to help them achieve breakthroughs, fans of my work providing feedback and opportunities or coaching clients from whom I learn as much as I teach.
Who in your immediate circle is young, inexperienced and full of unrealized potential, who, with your mentoring and sponsorship, could do remarkable things in the world? Who will you choose to guide to greatness today? Who’s life could you change today by helping them to live larger and play their full role in the world?
I mentor about a dozen people and have a waiting list. They range in ages from early thirties to early sixties.
Besides that I spend time with seniors, which in a way is mentoring them to lead a fuller life.
Spending a good deal of time in the community giving back , because that is where the greatest difference can be made.
Brahm, if we could scale up the work you (and others like you) are doing to the national or even international level, we would take care of many of our social and economic challenges, don’t you agree?
Lance, I am ambivalent about mentoring. I enjoy it, do the mentored young ones get as much as I do? At our law firm , I started a programme of internships, loose and unstructured – no long detailed application and motivation questionnaire – that looks like a success. Young people from Korea, Kazakhstan, Zimbabwe aso, whom I have tried to listen to while sharing the meaning of our profession. With several of the interns, I stay in touch, providing further guidance. We think the programme worthwhile. For the firm, for me, no doubt, for them, I’m less sure. Are we perhaps kidding ourselves, each of us just getting their little selfish share? I hope I’m wrong
My experience is that it works Bruno. And I would not be where I am today if it had not been for my mentors and sponsirs. So I mentor others as a form of “Paying it Forward”. Perhaps it is the same for you?
So true Lance! I also wouldn’t be where I am today without the big souls, who encouraged me to discover in me what they had already seen. I am very grateful for their generosity to look deeper and to not buy my own limited image of myself. They didn’t give up to inspire me to go for goals much bigger than I had ever dared to risk without their confidence in me. You are one of them, Lance. Thank you!
Thank you for including me in your “big souls” group Sabine. My position was different from yours. I had grand ideas about what I was capable of achieving, but others did not take me seriously. But my “big soul” was one individual who did, and therefore helped me to make my dreams come true.
In my 40 year career as a small (but somewhat leading edge) retailer in the natural and organic industry with a busy store, in a small town, and with many volunteer positions with government and industry, nation wide, I had many mentors, sponsors, business coaches, and angel investors come my way . I would totally agree that “when the student is ready (and willing) the master appears. Against all odds, (being a young woman with little business experience in a rather convention-challenging field) I grew and thrived and feel that I also affected and mentored many people along the path to better health and environmental stewardship. So many times, when the going got tough, when I almost gave up, a mentor appeared and inspired and encouraged me to keep growing. I always had a sense of both support and of the opportunity to “pay it forward”. Now that I’ve retired, and sold my store, after a very busy career, I do feel a sense of emptiness at times, and your article has inspired me to seek out new opportunities to serve and mentor in my new community. Thank you! ❤️
So good to see you sharing your experience with so much authenticity Jennifer. Is there anything I can do to support you?
Jennifer, is there any way I can support you in your search?