The Mentoring Manifesto, Vol. 60: What Makes a Mentor
Author Jim Collins once asked his mentor, Peter Drucker, “How can I ever pay you back.” Drucker replied, “You have already paid me back. I’ve learned so much from our conversations.” Later, in that same conversation, Collins recalls Drucker adding, “Go out and make yourself useful,” which I translate as “I modeled this for you. Now you go and do the same for someone else.”
In that short exchange, Drucker demonstrates three qualities that make a mentor…
- Listen intentionally
- Always be learning and growing
- Create a pay-it-forward mindset
Author Bob Buford, another of Peter Drucker’s mentees, spoke about how Drucker “gave him permission to be me” and talked about how Drucker gave him encouragement, acknowledgment, and accountability.
Three more qualities…
- Create a safe place
- Hold mentees accountable
- Speak into a mentee’s good and bad moments
Drucker was confident in who he was and, more importantly, who Jesus was in him. This confidence motivated him to pass on his wisdom, knowledge, and experience to Collins, Buford, and countless others. This desire to pour into others qualified him to be a mentor much more than his resume, contacts, or net worth.
Mentors and potential mentors, does your heart yearn for the next generation? Do you have a story to tell and wisdom to share? Do you ask questions and listen twice as much as you talk? If so, then congratulations. You have the makings of a mentor!
The resources below will help you embrace your role as a mentor and hone the skills you need to equip and inspire those coming up behind you.
THE SELFLESS HEART OF THE MENTOR
THE LIFE-GIVING LEADER: 5-DAY READING PLAN
LEADING WELL FOR THE LONG HAUL
4 MINUTES WITH A MENTOR: CHAD STUTZMAN
Breathe New Life Into Your Discipleship
Small group mentoring can help you engage your people, build your core group of leaders, and transform your church. Our free resources equip you with all the tools you need to launch a sustainable mentoring program.