Substitute for Experience and the Only Significant

¶ … substitute for experience and the only significant lessons that one learns are from the mistakes made in one's own life. This may have some truth in it but it is certainly not the whole truth. If we look at the history of mankind we will see countless examples of persons who have made significant achievements only through guidance from, at least initially, their mentors. In this essay we shall examine the significance of mentoring and how it can make a difference in our lives.

We will also look at some of the types of mentoring (natural and planned mentoring) and the qualities required in a good mentor. Let us try to define what mentoring is. Mentoring has been derived from the Greek word meaning enduring. It has been defined by some as a sustained relationship between an adult and a youth. To my mind, it is the process of coaching, teaching or guiding someone to be the best that he (or she) can be.

So those of us who can find a sincere and effective mentor or coach in our lives, are truly the lucky ones. Plato, for example, was one of the three great Greek philosophers who have influenced almost every culture that has followed, especially the Western thought. It is doubtful whether Plato would have achieved what he did in his life if he had not been fortunate enough to have had Socrates as his mentor.

Another great Greek philosopher was Aristotle whose range of intellect and achievements were phenomenol covering numerous branches of science, philosophy and arts. He was lucky enough to have had Plato as his mentor. Mentoring can be divided into two main categories, natural mentoring and planned mentoring. Natural mentoring takes place through the guidance and coaching provided by one's friends, colleagues, teachers, coaches, and parents. It is the traditional type of mentoring that has existed in almost all societies since the ancient times.

Planned mentoring, on the other hand, is the process in which the mentors and the mentees (the persons who are being guided or trained) are matched through planned programs. This is a relatively new phenomenon that has arisen in the modern society, especially in the United States. In the planned mentoring programs, mentors are selected from religious, corporate, or neighborhood communities by seeking volunteers. These mentors are then matched to the mentees through interviews, personal profiles, comprative interests, or getting acquainted sessions.

The need for such 'planned' mentoring programs have arisen due to the changing family structures. In the traditional families such mentoring or 'role-modeling' for the youth is provided by the parents. With the increasing number of single-parent families or broken families, the need for 'natural' mentoring is fulfilled by these planned mentoring programs. Not everyone can be a good mentor. This is because a good mentor, just like a good coach or a good teacher, needs to have certain qualities.

Some of these characteristics are in-built in an individual, but this does not mean that one cannot develop or enhance these qualities if there is a genuine desire to help others and there is an awareness about what makes a good mentor. It is generally accepted that a good mentor should be a good and 'active' listener, he should be able to build trust and keep.