In April 2016, Apple postponed a quarterly earnings meet so that its employees could attend the funeral of a football coach. The same funeral was also attended by CEO and founder of Google, widow of Steve Jobs and even Jeff Bezos of Amazon. Interestingly this one man who died had not just mentored them but also the founders of Facebook and Twitter. His name is Bill Campbell but the entire Silicon Valley fondly calls him “The Coach”.
A mentor is someone who shows you the path between where you are and where you want to be.
The importance of mentorship is found even in the great Hindu epic Mahabharata. Krishna performed the role of Arjun’s charioteer throughout the battle, but he was much more than that. He was Arjun’s mentor, gently guiding and advising him at every step. Even though the Pandavas had a smaller army, but because of the advice of a great and wise mentor, they were able to defeat the Kauravas.
Today, a mentor – mentee relationship is even more important, due to the increasing complexities, choices and circumstances that one faces at every step of one’s life and career. The fortunate ones find an able charioteer to steer one’s professional chariot. A mentor kick starts the goals that you set, and helps you set the right goals in your life. Mentor provides the best advice in your life and shows you the way to success. The best part is you gain experience from his experience.
I have had multiple mentors during my life. My first mentor was my grandfather. He shaped my personality in a positive way. He taught me by example to be an honorable, hardworking human. According to him, whatever we decide to do in life, it should be with diligence and dedication. My second mentor was my mother. She taught me to be honest and simple – not to tell a lie whatever the circumstances may be. She used to tell me, “Listen to your conscience. Do whatever you feel is correct. You should not have any regret later in your life for your actions”. Because of her teachings, I always listen to my conscience whenever in dilemma.
In my professional life, I had the privilege of having a person as my mentor who was not my boss but my colleague. He is currently a Director of an NBFC at Chandigarh. In 1992, when I switched job and joined another organization, I felt like a fish out of water. He caught hold of my hand and taught me whatever was needed to survive in that organization. It is because of him that I not only made a place for myself in that organization but also became ready for the higher challenges. In 1999, when the opportunity to join another good organization at Guwahati arose, he was the person who guided and motivated me to join that organization. In 2004, when I was looking for a change, he not only guided me to shift to private sector but also offered me a job in his company. But then, the opportunity to join a manufacturing company knocked at my door and I joined that company. At professional level, I owe a lot to him.
Currently, I am a member of Toastmasters International. It is an organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Toastmasters international exploits the concept of mentoring beautifully. Mentor helps a new member to walk the same path he took to learn public speaking and leadership.
To conclude, it is rightly said “The secret to success is a pretty simple equation: hard work + some lucky breaks + great mentors.”
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