I am a big believer in the benefits of mentoring. I mentor up and coming real estate professionals and I have two mentors myself. When I am mentoring, I am always aware of how my mentors have impacted me over the years. There is one guideline I particular that I like to follow. As a mentor I listen more than I talk.
I do offer advice, but only after I have heard everything the person I am trying to coach has to say. I find that this does three things. First it makes any advice I give much more effective, because I have a realistic view of the situation.
Secondly, nine times out of ten, if I let them talk it through, un-interrupted, they come up with the solution on their own. Which is ultimately what we all hope for anyway, isn't it? As a mentor I want to be a conduit that helps and channels energy and solutions. I don't want to be the perpetual problem solver. I want to help people find their own solutions.
And the last benefit of listening is that over time, the people I coach learn how to effectively cut directly to the chase when they do come to me for assistance. It's ironic, that letting them speak unedited in the beginning quickly leads to them editing themselves.
Mentoring and being mentored has been extremely rewarding for me. I highly recommend it to everyone.
Coco, I like your style and agree with your assessment. Mentoring is a marvelous way to look to people that have similar values, but a lot more experience, whether it be in life or business or both. I have mentors also and count myself very blessed to have been on a few list myself. The best part is in most cases these people remain friends after the mentoring has run it's course. In fact in most cases I learn from them also.
Nice post
Bo
Coco~ excellent advice and I agree completely when you say that if you just actively listen to someone chances are they will solve their problems on their own. and hopefully will think that you're the genius that helped them.