CONFIDENTIALITY - Key Success Factor

What are your thoughts on the importance of CONFIDENTIALITY  within a positive MENTORSHIP relationship, or any business related relationship for that matter?

Please add your thoughts as a comment to this post.

Feel free to talk about its importance, and share an example you’ve seen which illustrates either the potential positive impact or negative associated results.

What is MENTORSHIP?

I was talking with a successful business owner not that long ago when the topic of our conversation turned to Mentorship. They said that they felt they had been 'mentored' by a number of people through the use of Books, DVD and CD educational materials.  While not disputing the value of resources like this as a part of the learning process, I admit that I struggled with the concept of these resources being a substitute for a personal mentoring relationship. So I put the question out to you for comment. What are your thoughts, your reaction or experience related to this suggestion?  

Please add your thoughts to our question: "What is Mentorship?" HOW would you DEFINE IT?

Mentoring Stories - What's Your Favourite?

"Tuesdays with Morrie" - by Mitch Albom


My wife and I went to see the Mayfield Dinner Theatre version of this wonderful story when it was in Edmonton.  Jamie Farr (from M.A.S.H. fame) played the role of Morrie, and Rejean Cournoyer did a great job with the role of Mitch. By the end of the evening, I would be very surprised if there was a dry eye in the house! 


For those not familiar with the story, it is told through the recollections of Mitch Albom, a self-absorbed, career-focused, sports writer who has seemly lost sight of the important things in life as he pursues success in his chosen field. 


Perhaps it was to make amends for having not kept a promise to stay in touch, that Mitch reconnects with Morrie Schwartz, his former college professor and one time Mentor. Nearly twenty years have lapsed and Morrie is now slowly losing his battle with ALS - Lou Gehrig’s Disease. With time slipping away, Mitch agrees to come for another visit, and so begins an eventual series of Tuesday meetings.  As they meet, a significant transformation takes place, as a wise Mentor shares many of the lessons learned, and thus helps his Protege become a more balanced and wiser human being.  Tuesdays with Morrie is a great story with much to say to those who find themselves 'busy' with the many things that call for our attention.


I like the following comments that were found on the Random House Publishing website: 

Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher, or a colleague. Someone older, patient and wise, who understood you when you were young and searching, helped you see the world as a more profound place, gave you sound advice to help you make your way through it.

For Mitch Albom, that person was Morrie Schwartz, his college professor from nearly twenty years ago. Maybe, like Mitch, you lost track of this mentor as you made your way, and the insights faded, and the world seemed colder. Wouldn't you like to see that person again, ask the bigger questions that still haunt you, receive wisdom for your busy life today the way you once did when you were younger?

Mitch Albom had that second chance. He rediscovered Morrie in the last months of the older man's life. Knowing he was dying, Morrie visited with Mitch in his study every Tuesday, just as they used to back in college. Their rekindled relationship turned into one final "class": lessons in how to live.

Tuesdays with Morrie is a magical chronicle of their time together, through which Mitch shares Morrie's lasting gift with the world.  After four years on the New York Times bestseller list, Tuesdays with Morrie is at last available in paperback.

     Sourced from: http://www.randomhouse.com/features/morrie/

"Tuesdays with Morrie" - by Mitch Albom provides us with very helpful insight into the richness that can develop within a Mentor and a Protege (Mentee) relationship.  In this case, there was a significant gap between the early stages of the relationship and the deeper learning that occurred at the close of their time together. Perhaps this experience reminds us to carefully consider the long-term impact of decisions made today, and that there is much to be gained in cultivating those significant relationships that increase the quality of our lives.

There are many more great examples out there ... please add your comments on this, or on another story, movie or television show that depicts Mentorship.  What lessons can be learned? How did the story impact you?

Mentors deliver hope! (The Jackie Robinson Story)

Mentors have a way of saying just the right words, at the right time. THIS POST is comprised of four parts – An Introduction, The News Report, Hope Story and CBC archived video clip. After reviewing each, please take a moment to think about how we can ‘make a difference’ in the places where we live, work and play.  As always, your comments are welcome!

1) Introduction:  As I watched the television news the other night, amid the chaos, uncertainty and desperation that so frequently grab the headlines, one particular story caught my eye. It was a story with cross-border, as well as cross-cultural significance. It reminded me of something I had read elsewhere, ...a behind the scene story that demonstrates the significant impact a Mentor can play in the development of another individual’s full potential.

2) The News Report: I watched and listened with great interest on Feb. 28, 2011 as another very fitting tribute was paid to Jackie Robinson. While the sport of baseball is known as ‘America’s Game’, this ceremony took place on Canadian soil, in Montreal’s Villeray area, just a few blocks away from Jarry Park, where Canada's first major league team, the Montreal Expos, played from 1969 to 1976.

Dignitaries reported by the Montreal Gazette came from both sides of the border, including: the U.S. ambassador to Canada, David Jacobson; Lee McClenny, the U.S. consul general in Montreal; Quebec Minister of Education, Leisure and Sport, Line Beauchamp and Montreal Mayor, Gérald Tremblay. Along side them was Sharon Robinson, vice-chair of the Jackie Robinson Foundation, and daughter of Jackie and Rachel Robinson.

It struck me that while Sharon Robinson must have been extremely and rightfully proud of her parents, perhaps a small measure of pride might also be taken by those citizens of Montreal who welcomed, befriended and embraced this family of ‘newcomers’ to Canada. As individuals, the residents of this community may feel that they had little impact on the outcome of this story. Yet it was their individual and collective acceptance, their willingness to provide ‘the newcomer’ with an opportunity to contribute, a chance of finding a place, to contribute to the betterment of their community ...this was the fertile soil that became the seed-bed of hope. It was through an openness and willingness to find harmony amidst that which was different, that a difference was made. And in having been a part of the process of positive change, these individuals, this community and perhaps even this country, may take a modest, but none-the-less deserved moment to reflect and relish the significance of their kindness.

A commemorative plaque was unveiled at the house where Jackie Robinson and his wife, Rachel, lived in 1946, when Robinson played for the Montreal Royals in the Class AAA International League.

The plaque reads (in English and French, Canada’s two official languages): Hall of Fame baseball legend and civil rights leader Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson and wife, Rachel, lived in this house when he played with the Montreal Royals in the Class AAA International League in 1946. The first black Major League Baseball player in the modern era, Robinson became a powerful symbol of hope an inspiration to millions with his grace, dignity and determination.

http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Baseball+great+home+away+from+hate/4362662/story.html

3) Hope Story:  (I was reminded of this story as I watched the news report noted above.)
Rey Carr of Peer Resources drew my attention to some of the personal stories of people who have been positively influenced and inspired others through mentorship. This particular story is taken from:  http://www.mentors.ca/Story13.pdf

When Jackie Robinson was signed by Branch Rickey of the Brooklyn Dodgers, he became the first African- American to play major league baseball. “Number 42” became the target of considerable racist hatred and death threats. Branch Rickey had warned him that things would be tough and that he should learn to turn the other cheek. Prior to one game, however, Jackie received a telephone call that brought him to his tipping point. He was so devastated he couldn’t concentrate of the game and struck out with the bases loaded. In another inning he made a fielding error. The crowd escalated their obscenities.

Then Pee Wee Reese, the white, shortstop from Kentucky and Jackie’s teammate called a time-out. Pee Wee put his arm around Robinson and said, “Jackie, let me tell you something. I believe in you. You are the greatest ballplayer I have ever seen. You can do it. I know that. And I know something else: One of these days you are going into the Hall of Fame. So, hold your head up high and play ball like only you can do it.” Robinson was uplifted by those words and went on to deliver the game-winning hit for his team.

Many years later when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame, Robinson recalled that day on the field with Pee Wee. “He saved my life and my career that day. I had lost my confidence, and Pee Wee picked me up with his words of encouragement. He gave me hope when all hope was gone.”


4) From the CBC Digital Archives: To better understand the significance of the groundbreaking achievements of Jackie Robinson, please view this great report from CBC/Radio-Canada.

“Jackie Robinson, the first black pro in baseball” Broadcast Date: May 8, 1987
http://archives.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/clips/3322/

Beginning Stage - Orientation and Training Sessions

I recently read an interesting article by Professor David Clutterbuck, Practice Lead, Clutterbuck Associates. It was posted in The OCM Coach and Mentor Journal 2010. Having met him in late 2010, and having some personal experience in the establishment of mentorship programs, I found the article, “Who and what makes mentoring programmes work?” to be both informative and a confirmation of many of those elements that we’ve found to be useful in mentorship programs.

Clutterbuck reaffirms that it is the well-designed, well-managed program that delivers superior results, and I certainly agree. There are several keys to success in launching a great mentorship program. Allow me to add a few comments related to a few things that we believe should be included in the “Beginning” stage of the good mentorship program.

We recommend that an appropriate orientation and training session be provided for both mentors and protégés (mentees). This can really position the program participants for success. Not only does it allow them to more fully understand their various roles, it should also provide a safe environment to familiarize themselves with the basic skills and interpersonal behaviours that can be reasonably anticipated within the forthcoming mentoring relationship.

Why is that so important? As Clutterbuck states, “Typically, where both mentors and mentees have been trained, and line managers briefed, over 90% of relationships deliver significant learning and are valued by participants. By contrast, programmes without training rarely deliver significant value for more than a third of participants.”

In one of our first engagements, Pro-Vision Solutions Inc. facilitated an Orientation Session that introduced the concept of mentorship to members of a business networking group. While the group they were in continued to fill a valid need for the members, this subset was interested in the benefits of participating in a more comprehensive, one to one mentorship program. A few weeks after the Orientation Session, many of these people attended a focussed Training Session providing them with in depth, hands-on experience, similar to that suggested by Clutterbuck. Attendees were free to ask questions prior to entering into the working relationship with their Mentor or Protégé. Reflecting back, the response from attendees to both sessions was overwhelmingly positive. In our opinion, the orientation and training provided on the front end, allowed for a much smoother running program, requiring less intervention on the part of the organization and program manager.

Mentorship - Sees Potential and Invests in Others

For something different, we've added a fun little video clip that we just put together - Peyton's Race Day ( http://www.youtube.com/user/ProvisionMentorship?feature=mhum#p/u/0/DNA_NImUfmY ).  To be honest, it was not only to "show off" our grand daughter (Peyton) and our two children (Brittany & Courtney), but to illustrate a very important point!   (Oh yes, we had a great time putting the video clip together too.)  

Here is the point that we want to emphasis: "Mentorship is all about investing a small part of ourselves into others, with the hope that they will one day become all that they can be, reaching loftier heights and achieving greater successes than those who went before them."  


We trust that this message will be seen within this short clip, and that each of us will find appropriate ways to add value into the lives of others along life's path.  

Question: What lessons regarding Mentorship can you find in this video clip? Please share your comments to this post. Best wishes to all in 2011.

Mentoring Stories - as suggested by Rey Carr

I received an email message from Rey Carr of Peer Resources highlighting the personal stories of a number of people who have been positively influenced and inspire others through mentorship. Please explore these stories further. I believe you will discover that you too can be a positive agent for change within your circle of influence!

The introduction on the site begins: 

Many people have acted as mentors or have been mentored. However, in many cases, neither the person acting as a mentor or the person being mentored may realize or recognize that mentoring has occurred. Sometimes people involved in mentoring do not actually use the term mentoring and instead describe their relationship as influential, impactful or learning-oriented. Such informal mentoring occurs quite frequently and it is probably wide-spread throughout the world.

As I read these comments, I reflected on the messages that we are hearing in the video clips that are already on this BLOG site. Give them a few minutes of your time! The lessons learned and suggestions provided will definitely help you on your mentorship journey.

To view the stories suggested by Rey Carr, visit:  http://www.mentors.ca/stories.html