25). For Shirley Peddy, how to say it is via the art of storytelling. Most of the book the Art of Mentoring: Lead, Follow, and Get Out of the Way is not dry pedantic prose but rather, narrative. It is not clear whether the stories are actually true or not, but their verity matters little in light of the fact that the author's ultimate goal is to illustrate the mentoring process.
Through the mentor of Rachel, who may or may not be modeled after Shirley Peddy, readers can better understand circumstantial and situational variables that impact their leadership styles. Each character reacts to Rachel -- as well as to other leaders and managers -- with individuality. The role of the workplace environment is raised in more than one anecdote. Dialogue enables a naturalistic instruction about mentoring instead of a clinical one. Specific phrases and non-verbal cues are critical in the communication process. If the author had simply outlined the core tenets of leading following, and getting out of the way, the overall impact of the book would have been considerably compromised.
Therefore, the basic structure of the Art of Mentoring: Lead, Follow, and Get Out of the Way is solid. At the same time, there are weaknesses in the storytelling approach. The characters are relatively one-dimensional. Some readers can perhaps better relate to the character of Rachel than to a perceived authority figure like Shirley Peddy. Others might find the storytelling method puerile and counterproductive. A diverse readership is likely to react to the Art of Mentoring in different ways. Certainly, Shirley Peddy's book cannot be considered as a work of serious scholarship but is more likely to be located on the shelves of managers.
Managers and leaders in any organizational sector will find Shirley Peddy's...
This may be one of the most important applications for Shirley Peddy's book.
A main strength of Shirley Peddy's book is that there is a humanism naturally involved in the storytelling process that is welcome from the usual fodder of academic jargon. Understandably, this is also one of the book's main weaknesses. The book comes across as being useless as a reference book, as it must be read practically from cover to cover.
Dedicated readers will understand what it means to share personal stories and anecdotes as one of the ways to effectively mentor. The medium of storytelling parallels the humanistic approach that Peddy advocates and practices. Many of the communication techniques the author uses seem outmoded for young people, who are far less formal than Peddy is. However, some young people may find themselves in traditional organizations in which authority is more top-down and hierarchies have not yet been outmoded.
One of the most effective additions to the structure of the Art of Mentoring: Lead, Follow, and Get Out of the Way is a helpful summary of the main points learned from each chapter. Still, the notes cannot be relied upon. The reader must read the stories to truly grasp what mentoring is all about. Mentoring involves give and take and considerable amount of flexibility, tolerance, and compassion. Some readers could perceive the Peddy approach as being too fluffy and akin to a self-help book. Well, Shirley Peddy is helping others help themselves; she eventually gets out of the way in the end.
Reference
Peddy, Shirley. The Art of Mentoring: Lead, Follow, and Get Out of the Way. Houston: Bullion.
