When I was first promoted to service department manager for an interconnect company, I knew I wanted: 1) a knowledgeable staff of technicians and dispatchers, and 2) first call resolution of service problems. I didn't know what a mentor was back then, but I did know I needed to help the techs and dispatchers in my department with some of their responsibilities in order to achieve my own goals. Even though most of the staff was technically knowledgeable, they were disorganized and resented doing the paperwork required to complete each assignment. As I began working with the staff, a funny thing happened; my business goals became secondary to my desire to help my employees improve their own organizational skills and attitudes about the job and life in general. Unknowingly, I had become a mentor and developed two objectives for staff development. One was to meet the company's business goals. The other was to coach and counsel specific individuals, focusing on personal improvement totally unrelated to business.

F. John Reh, a management professional and internet management consultant says the anesthesiology department of Cleveland's MetroHealth System defines a mentor as a "wise, loyal advisor or coach." Furthermore, "A mentor is an individual, usually older, always more experienced, who helps and guides another individual's development. This guidance is not done for personal gain."

We should carefully heed Mr. Reh's words, "not for personal gain." There have been times when I have been "mentored" by a company director or division VP only to find out later that the advice and guidance had strings attached, such as an expected return favor or support for a certain project.

Do you know of someone in your department or hospital who needs a little guidance or coaching? Does he or she have unrealized potential but doesn't know how to develop it? Maybe now is the time to grasp the opportunity to mentor that person.

In looking back at Zig Ziglar's thought, "If you help enough other people get what they want, you can get what you want."Have you decided yet what it is you want? If you desire to make a difference in someone's life, to improve the chances of success for one of your employees, or to help another person develop his or her full potential, then take the opportunity and the time and become a mentor to that person.

Mentoring can be equally rewarding for both parties. Mentoring enables you to enrich another person's life, and at the same time, gives you satisfaction in knowing you directly contributed to that person's chances of success both professionally and personally.


- Mike