by Kevin
As the title indicates, this blog is for you and your personal mission. I would say it is rather unusual, and perhaps even audacious of me, to suggest that you and I could have a mentoring relationship through a blog. Yet, I think this relationship is already off to a delightful start. I feel that I like you already. Why? Because I know you are intrigued--at the very least--by the idea of personal growth. And I certainly enjoy interacting with individuals who are interested in personal growth. It absolutely inspires me. So, thanks for the inspiration! Now, it’s my turn to (hopefully) provide some inspiration to you through a mentorship. I know you may not be ready to commit to this relationship, just yet, so perhaps I could try to build a case for “mentoring your mission”.
As I was pondering how to sell you on the value of this mentoring blog, I initially thought it would be a splendid idea to grab your attention by delivering a few captivating stats demonstrating the value of mentoring. Perhaps even a research study proving scientifically that mentoring is the primary key to success. That would certainly get you excited about personal growth through mentorship and we could then get started on this journey together, right? However, after some careful reflection on how to carry out the aforementioned studies, I questioned whether the mentoring relationship really needs any stimulating statistics?
Let me put it this way: if you have ever experienced the positive energy of an encouraging word, someone to reassure you that you are on the right track, reminding you to look beyond the current circumstance and stay focused on your long term vision, a person who cares about who you are and where you are going, a person who gives you the confidence you need to take the next step while celebrating with you along the way, then I feel that you already know what a fruitful mentoring relationship could look like. If you haven’t experienced that positive energy, well, you are in for a wonderful surprise!
I have mentored close to 50 young professionals over the past several years. Every person and journey is unique, and yours will be too. Although I can’t say I have numerous qualifications to fill the role as your mentor, my primary qualification, I believe, is that I have “been there”. Are you wondering if your current job will lead to a meaningful and satisfying career? Yeah, I wondered that same thing when I graduated from college and took my first job. Are you concerned that your career ambition may come at the expense of your personal relationships? Yep, that concerned me too--and my wife. Is your manager making you think twice about the career you chose? Ugh, I remember that manager of mine but thankfully I wasn’t easily convinced. Are you afraid your meager income won’t support your financial ambitions? I definitely remember those painful years--but survived.
I am really only asking you if I can be the experienced guy leaning over your shoulder reminding you that “it will be okay”, “stick to the plan”, “focus on your long term goals'', and of course, “you can do it!”. My primary goal as your (potential) mentor is to convince you that: I know you….I care about you…. and I want to support you. Any interest?
Well, don’t answer just yet. With any relationship there is more than one side, and the mentoring relationship is no different. So, I have invited one of my previous mentees to join us on this journey (hope you don’t mind). It might be helpful for you to get his perspective before you make your decision. His name is Adam Lee and I think you will really like him. He is a lot like you. He is intelligent, ambitious, disciplined and he strives for personal growth. Although I would love to tell you more about Adam, I will let him take it from here. Let me formally introduce you to my friend and mentee, Adam Lee…
by Adam Lee
Well, in classic self-deprecating style, Kevin has asked me to tell you about myself, without bragging about (or even really mentioning) his own pedigree. Now, I’m not arguing that achievements define a person, any more than high levels of skill or aptitude make you a “good” human being. But, I’m going to have to challenge his idea that his only qualifications are that he has “been there.” Sure, that is a big, important part of it. But, I think it’s also important for you to know that, after beginning his career in public accounting, Kevin became a CFO at the ripe old age of… wait for it… 35. The reason I think you will find that important, is because I found that important. Let me explain.
When I met Kevin, I was at an (early) crossroads in my career; I had decided to leave my first job out of school. After reaching out to an old college professor for advice, he insisted I meet with…some guy named Kevin. Now… getting back to my earlier point… I already knew a few guys named Kevin. So, what was so special about this one? It sure would have been more convenient to seek advice from one of the Kevins I already knew.
Well, for one, this Kevin had worked in public accounting (the type of job I was leaving). And, two, this particular Kevin had gone on to become a CFO at age 35 (of a publicly traded bank… not a start-up lemonade stand). Sure, he might be an egotistical sociopath with no moral compass and a scorched earth mentality to get ahead. But, at the very least, he exhibited the type of career progression that all ambitious young people in my field ostensibly aspire to achieve. So… I took the meeting.
Happily, he turned out not to be a sociopath; he’s actually a really decent guy! In fact, if you asked me now: what are the life experiences and characteristics that underlie Kevin’s wisdom and drive the quality of his mentorship? His being a CFO probably wouldn’t be in my top 10. But, as seemingly shallow as it is to admit, that is exactly what got me in the door. And, I hope it gets you in the door, too.
Now, on to me. In my most favorable self-image, I am a young, hard-working, creative, enterprising finance professional with a nose for the facts and a high-motor for results. Through a more self-critical lens, you might also say I am a slightly impulsive, often disorganized, pie-in-the-sky dreamer, whose loud-mouth and overzealous execution hasn’t completely sullied his professional reputation quite yet (and, I’m hoping to keep it that way!). I’d predict you’ll see both sets of those qualities come through in my writing, and that underscores an important point: no one (especially not me!) has a totally objective view of themselves or others. More importantly, no one has the answers for you. Not me, and—that’s right—not even Kevin. Spoiler alert: Kevin did not share with me the universal truths of success and the secrets to a prosperous life. Bummer, right?
WAIT WAIT WAIT…before you leave the blog for good, let me convince you why, in spite of not finding a formulaic prescription for success, you’ll still find value here.
Good decisions are made through the prism of your own values and in pursuit of your own goals. Make no mistake: a mentor can’t provide those values or goals for you. Instead, having a mentor means having a wise partner in the journey to identify those values, form those goals, and apply all of it to your life. If you’re a Star Wars fan, it’s like having your own Obi-Wan Kenobi… if you’ve seen Lord of the Rings, it’s like a much less violent Gandalf the Grey…if you don’t know what I’m talking about, I promise mentorship isn’t as nerdy as it sounds.
I’m happy to report I’ve found great value, and joy, in continuing my journey through life with mentorship from Kevin. I’m confident you will too.
So, if you came here looking for a listicle of THE 10 BIGGEST CAREER HACKS MOST MENTORS AREN’T TELLING YOU…I regret to inform you that you have come to the wrong place. But if you’re looking for deeper clarity, conviction, and satisfaction on your journey through your professional (and personal) life, welcome! I hope you’re as excited as I am.
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