Read a really interesting article by Steve Farber on Harvard Business Publishing on the Greater Than Yourself Project (GTY), which speaks primarily about mentoring in the business and leadership sense which is the traditional way we look at mentoring. Mentoring as in the identification of someone in your business environment who you can give a 'leg up' to by sharing your business expertise. According to Farber:
"Most business leaders have learned that our job is to expand and develop our own capacity, while simultaneously preparing the next generation of leaders to take the reins. Develop talent, we've been taught. Be helpful. Be a coach. Mentor someone. But it doesn't happen all that often — at least, not in any significant way.
I believe it's time for us to set a new gold standard for what it means to be a leader of substance and influence."
I think it's time to set a new gold standard when it comes to mentoring for life. You see a lot less about mentoring as it relates to life. Parents mentor in some senses (nag, cajole, harp, plead!). Periodically we'll meet someone who we get some good ideas from, but how often do you run into a 'life mentor'? They're really few and far between.
The GTY endeavor doesn't have to be done with someone from work. How about sharing some of your hard earned knowledge with someone in your personal life? Have you shared what you know about money and investing with your children or other young people you're close to? Have you shared your secrets on how to get a discount, a good flight, an upgrade, a great buy on a vacation, how to buy a great house, how to save money on taxes, how to eat well, how to get along, how to make chocolate, how to be beautiful with those you love? How to retire early and sail off into the sunset? Often in the hustle and bustle of day-to-day living, those secrets, great tips and good learnings don't get shared because we're too busy - but who better to share them with than the ones we love?
That's the reason we write this blog, to share what we've learned along the way. You've probably learned some pretty valuable things during your life journey, who could you share them with?
Nicely Put, Katherine! See my latest post about GTY in the field of education, too.
ReplyDeleteFantastic application of the GTY philosophy. I think our life philosophy should be to influence the world around us to be greater than ourselves. Our business endeavors should increase the wealth of our customers/clients by the services and products we deliver. Our personal contacts should be focsed on making those around us better.
ReplyDeleteWe are known by the people we associate with. If we help those around us to get better.. by default it forces us to improve. Just remember the philosophy starts with Expanding yourself so that your ability to help others is improved.
Excellent post.