Where have all the mentors gone?

It doesn’t take long for me to reflect on the many people who have mentored to me in one form, or another. Their insight, wisdom, coaching, and encouragement comes to light on a regular basis. Simple phrases they uttered along the way come to mind from time to time, too. One that serves me well is, “Define the problem, and the solution will present itself.”

This phrase first crossed my path some 30 years ago. My mentor at the time was trying to get me to realize that many of us dwell on a situation, seeing no apparent solution. He helped me develop the skill to work through what the (real) problem was, and in doing so I could often find an ‘obvious’ solution (albeit elusive at the start).

He also taught me that mentoring was both vertical and horizontal in nature, i.e., he was quick to admit that he was learning from me as much as I may be learning from him. The idea that some elder sage is the only qualified mentor was quickly dispelled. He showed me that there are no age barriers to mentoring.

As I go about my work in various companies and organizations, the question “Where have all the mentors gone?” comes to mind. I became more aware of it when I found myself coaching a client, “Be a magnet, not a mandate.” I was attempting to get them to realize that we can often be more successful by setting examples and helping people work through new experiences than to demand higher performance without any assistance. Over time I witnessed them using this phrase in their organization. It’s pleasing to see mentoring pass from one to another.

As the generational gap widens for me, I am encouraged by the next generation(s) of employees and business owners. Unlike my early days of employment, they are skilled and comfortable working in teams. Where I may have been expected to be self-disciplined, independent, and decisive, they are strong in their ability to work across the great divide of today’s diversified employment. From this multitasking, ‘always on’ generation I have learned a more global perspective of business and the workplace.

But, as this new generation of workers and business owners comes forward, I am concerned they will need to acquire new skills surrounding independence and decision-making. This will be even more important as they rise amongst the ranks of management. Mentoring can help them bear witness to, and gain experience in, the steps to making sound judgment under difficult circumstances. Where camaraderie and cohesiveness are wonderful traits, there will be times when they will find themselves alone faced with tough decisions.

As I ponder this question, I am asking you for your observations, experiences, and advice. Is there a lack of mentoring today? Are the demands of business so great that we can’t take the time to learn from each other? Are there generational differences that make mentoring more difficult? What have you found successful to mentoring in your company or organization?