Leadership: John Maxwell
“The Meaning of Mentoring” by John C. Maxwell and Jim Dornan
(This is an excerpt from John C. Maxwell’s book, “Becoming a Person of Influence”)
“Giving people the motivation to grow without also providing them the means of doing it is a tragedy. But the mentoring process offers people the opportunity to turn their potential into reality, their dreams into destiny. Mentors impact eternity because there is no telling where their influence will stop.
Nineteenth-century British statesman William Gladstone asserted, “He is a wise man who wastes no energy on pursuits for which he is not fitted; and he is wiser still who from among the things he can do well, chooses and resolutely follows the best.” Most people don’t have a natural knack for spotting their greatest areas of potential. They need help doing it, especially as they begin growing and striving to reach their potential. And that’s why it’s important for you to become a mentor in the lives of the people you desire to help. You need to lead them in their areas of personal and professional growth until they are able to work in these areas more independently.” – John C. Maxwell
The Influence Factor
Now, while we are on the subject of mentoring, you surely must realize that it is important to develop your “Influence Factor” before you try to impact someone. Bear in mind that people respond more to you than they do to your business opportunity. Also, people respond to a person’s confidence, concepts, mindset, language, attitude and leadership more than anything else. These are a part of your Influence Factor.
Now, to mentor someone effectively, you must of course listen intently to them, discovering what their hopes, dreams, challenges, aspirations, fears, etc. are — but more than that you must be able to empathize with others and listen in. I will say this again – to be an effective Life Coach, or mentor, you must truly empathize with your client or downline. Only then can you focus on the aspect of executive development.
If you do not, the client will be able to tell — he or she will hear it in your voice as you speak on the telephone. Or even if you are using chat, the individual will pick up on this. There is no getting around it. So, ask yourself (deep down): “am I the sort of person who is empathetic, who cares for and can truly relate to others?” If the answer is “no”, then it is best you find out now before committing very much time.
– Jan L. Ashby
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