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It seems as if everyone is looking for a mentor or wishes to be one. I currently have several mentors in my life. Most of those individuals mentor me from afar through their speaking and writing. But sometimes you and I are fortunate enough to have a personal mentoring relationship. When we do, what should the mentorship look like?
In Admiral James Stavridis’s excellent book Sailing True North: Ten Admirals and the Voyage of Character, he profiles a number of the greatest naval commanders in human history. One such leader was Rear Admiral Grace Hopper. If you are not familiar with Admiral Hopper, you should be. She is credited with being one of several people to program the world’s first computer. If that is not impressive enough, Admiral Hopper brought the Navy into the computer age.
Interestingly, she is credited with coining the phrase “computer bug”. Here’s the true story. When the Mark II computer was not working properly, Hopper discovered a four-inch moth causing the machine to be “conking out”. After removing the intrusive insect, she taped the bug into a logbook chronically the day’s events. The term “computer bug” was invented and the now-famous moth and logbook reside in the Smithsonian Institute.
8 Things All Great Mentors Do
In addition to her technological advancements and contribution to the English language, Admiral Hopper was known for mentoring countless young leaders. In the passage from page 144 shown above, we learn 8 things all great mentors do.
Great Mentors Are Serious About Mentorship
They do more than just pay lip-service to mentorship. It is a priority in their lives. Because they are serious about investing in and discipling others, they do the following seven items.
Great Mentors Have A Plan
Mentoring others does not happen be default, but rather by design. The best mentors have a systemic process they have developed and follow. This often includes some form of the regularly scheduled meetings, a reading plan, action steps, and a personal growth plan.
Great Mentors Consistently Follow-Up
Great mentors also have a detailed follow-up plan. This is because many people confuse the starting line with the finish line. Getting a mentor is not the finish line, it is only the beginning. Consistent and scheduled follow-up is required.
Great Mentors Are Patient
This is where many mentors short-circuit their influence. They give up on people too soon. Personal growth is a marathon, not a sprint. When you begin investing in someone, it takes time for the investment to bear fruit. You cannot microwave mentorship. It must be crockpotted.
To go deeper on the value of crockpotting leadership, read How Heat, Pressure, Disappointment, And Constraints Prepare Leaders For Great Things In The Future.
Great Mentors Course Correct
Mentorship is not a straight line. Neither are human beings. Challenges are to be expected. As mistakes are made and issues arise, course corrections will be needed.
Great Mentors Are Great Encouragers
A great mentor thinks the best of you. They feel you have incredible potential and joyfully help bring it out. A mentor will also point out when you have achieved certain milestones along the way and use those as opportunities to encourage you to continue the journey.
Great Mentors Are Connectors
A great mentor is personally secure. They have no problem pointing you to other people so you can learn specific skills from them as well. Not only do they point you to others, they proactively make the introduction.
Great Mentors Build A Leadership Pipeline
This was the genius of Admiral Hopper. Because she mentored so many young cadets, she developed a file of quality individuals to drawn from when key assignments opened up. This investment in the lives of others ensured future success for the Navy as well as an influence that would long outlast her life.
If you are entrusted with the responsibility of mentoring someone and are not doing any of these eight items, use Admiral Hopper as an example and implement her system today.
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