"ROI" - Return on Investment. What is the investment that a Mentor makes into the life of a Mentee? Here are a few thoughts.
I recently connected with Elisa Birnbaum, a freelance journalist, producer, and communications consultant living in Toronto. Ian Hope kindly pointed out Elisa's article that was seen in a July 21, 2011 publication of Charity Village. (Thanks Ian.) I contacted Elisa and was very pleased to receive her permission to quote from her work, which can be seen in full, as of the date of this Post at: http://www.charityvillage.com/cv/research/rcar63.html
I recently connected with Elisa Birnbaum, a freelance journalist, producer, and communications consultant living in Toronto. Ian Hope kindly pointed out Elisa's article that was seen in a July 21, 2011 publication of Charity Village. (Thanks Ian.) I contacted Elisa and was very pleased to receive her permission to quote from her work, which can be seen in full, as of the date of this Post at: http://www.charityvillage.com/cv/research/rcar63.html
I love the introduction that Elisa has used in her article. I think that many of us can identify with the dilemma, that inner conflict that we can go through, as we try to balance the many 'good things' that call for the attention of our limited time and resources. What commitments do we accept, what do we retain and which do we release? These are all questions that course through our minds, right?
* The challenge that I would put to you is simply: "Try to describe the inner conversation that you have when deciding whether or not to continue in a mentoring relationship."
Suggested Video Clips: You may find the Video Clip interviews done with David Abday and Dan Gaynor to be helpful as they both touch on how to work through some of these delicate issues within a Mentorship relationship. View either, or both of these on our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/ProvisionMentorship
Here is the introduction to Elisa's article. I encourage you to read it in its entirety at the link provided above.
"M is for Mentor" - By Elisa Birnbaum (July 21, 2011)
In the 100th episode of NBC's 30 Rock, the mentor-mentee relationship between Jack Donoghy and Liz Lemon is at a cataclysmic crossroad. Jack, played by Alec Baldwin, is re-evaluating his decision to take Tina Fey's Liz Lemon under his wing. Concluding the relationship is weighing him down, he decides to move on, then imagines the consequences of not stopping Liz from moving in with her deadbeat boyfriend. Guessing they'll get married and move to Jacksonville, Florida, he's aghast. "Jacksonville?!" he cries, "Her hair can't handle that humidity!" With that, he rushes to his mentee's aid, re-affirming his status in her perpetually conflicted life.
Not all mentors are as dedicated to their mentee's intractable tresses, but many stories attest to the impact of these relationships on one's professional — and personal — paths. Far from being one-shot deals, mentees report turning to a variety of mentors over the course of their careers, each offering something new and valuable that helps one to grow and succeed.
Elisa's full article provides a couple of wonderful examples of people sharing their experiences with mentorship and how it has helped to shape both their careers and their lives. She goes further and provides some great suggestions to help people fine the right mentorship match, where to look for potential mentors and addresses the delicate art of managing expectations within the Mentorship relationship. Her article makes for an interesting and informative read, which I fully recommend.
Thank you Elisha for allowing me to share from your work. Elisa is also president of Elle Communications and can be reached at: info@ellecommunications.ca
