Between the crowded schedules, terrible midwestern weather and the short month it was not such a great time for mentoring. I was unable to meet with Margie or talk with her about my current projects. I've hardly had time to think about what direction I'm going in.
So I thought I would talk to you about the idea of mentoring and how mentoring happens even when you're not thinking about it. Then I would like to hear from you. Yes, you. Whether you think the story is any good or not. I would like the members of our International Association to hear the many ways that we've been helped by someone, even if that someone didn't know they were helping.
Before Margie agreed to mentor me I already had mentors. My very first mentor was my Mom. To this day a situation will come up and I'll try to see it through her eyes and consider what she might do. After that I had teachers whom I looked up to. I would use them as my example as how to see life. As teachers do, they would open my eyes to unconsidered options.
It wasn't until I started my working career that I actually started thinking of mentoring in "mentoring" terms. Until then I wasn't fully aware how these people had affected my life. We think of mentoring as mostly turning to someone for advice, or for guidance. Someone who can give us the insight we need in our industries to get ahead and make the best decisions for our careers. There are other mentors out there. The ones that lead by example and encourage us to make those "big, scary" leaps into the unknown.
At this point I'm going to have to brag on my local association and show them some love - the Insurance Association of Suburban Kansas City in Overland Park, Kansas. We are not a large association, but there are some very important people involved. There is of course my Mentor Margie Brown, but in my association many have mentored me. Something that completely impresses me is the number of members in my association that have held leadership positions of International President and Regional Vice President. Even though they have held these positions they are still involved, still guiding our association. I've heard from people in other associations that once someone holds one of these leadership positions in their associations, they tend to move on or sit back and watch what happens next. But in our association our leaders stay involved and do their best to see the new members step up to the leadership roles. It's very inspiring to me. That's mentoring. I've seen it not only in my local association but I've seen it in my State Council and I've seen it in my Region and I've seen it on the National Level. This is just one of the great reasons why I love this association. Mentor's - everywhere you look and seasoned members encouraging the new.
I don't think my local association knows how much they have mentored me. Honestly, I am nearly a different person since I joined this association. The way all the members in my local have encouraged me, educated me, informed me. I have such greater belief in myself and my talents. This blog is one example of that. I would have thought you crazy if you told me I would be writing this blog for National. I would not have thought I could do it. I think of the many times when I was uncertain of what I was doing, but my fellow members were right there to hold me up. I have accomplished so much because of our members both local and beyond. Our association members inspire me and make me WANT to do more. To find out just how far I can go. Now THAT is mentoring.
I believe my association and my experiences are not unique. I would bet that many of you have these same leaders in your local associations. Please share with all of us your stories of mentors and successes. Share your thoughts on mentoring. You never know, YOUR story my be the one that encourages the next new member.
