When I look back to the mentors who have substantially contributed to my life, they have generally given me at least one of the following three things:
- Contacts: Some people have opened up whole new worlds of people to me. They’ve given me a platform, introduced me to other leaders, networks and organisations, and generally been very generous with their contacts.
- Context: I’ve learned things from them about how different industries tick. About what works or doesn’t work. Or what is important or isn’t important. They’ve given me a context to better understand a part of the world, and what my role in the world could be.
- Confidence: By taking a risk on me, investing time and energy into me, giving me opportunities to succeed (and fail), mentors have given me the confidence to move forwards.
The best mentors have given these things to me. So as a mentor, I now want to offer these things to those people I am mentoring.
How can you give these three things to the people you’re mentoring?
Mark Williamson is a founding director of One Rock International. He’s a lay preacher and leader within the Methodist Church, author of a biography on John Wesley, and is currently researching for a biography on William Wilberforce. He enjoys good films, good food, praying for London, and going for long walks with his wife Joanna.