Comments on: The Mentor Challenge http://blog.solomonwriting.com/the-mentor-challenge/ Julia Solomon's Blog Tue, 27 Apr 2010 22:02:01 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Julia http://blog.solomonwriting.com/the-mentor-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-47 Julia Mon, 24 Aug 2009 01:37:08 +0000 http://blog.solomonwriting.com/?p=109#comment-47 Good points Cricket! Especially the part about learning from others' mistakes and realizing that even your idols goof up sometimes. This is one I need to remember. Successful women entrepreneurs like you are an inspiration. Keep on trailblazin'! Good points Cricket! Especially the part about learning from others’ mistakes and realizing that even your idols goof up sometimes. This is one I need to remember.

Successful women entrepreneurs like you are an inspiration. Keep on trailblazin’!

]]> By: Cricket http://blog.solomonwriting.com/the-mentor-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-45 Cricket Sun, 23 Aug 2009 20:49:32 +0000 http://blog.solomonwriting.com/?p=109#comment-45 Nice post and the thought of one's own personal "high council" is really comforting. In the past few years I've gathered a few of my own Jedi Knights and it's so great to have people who've been-there-done-that and are more than happy to share the triumphs. What's even been more valuable is that many have also shared their pitfalls, and divulged their mistakes. Hearing their lessons learned, their regrets, and the changes they've made as a result has been eye opening. First because I've been so quick to put these people up on pedestals of perfection that it's hard for me to envision that these people make mistakes at all. To learn about their perspective they've gained along the way is both comforting and galvanizing. Second to see how others grapple with making mistakes, letting things go and making amends while on their way opens up more options in my own field of view than I'd originally imagined. As a woman and entrepreneur I've made more than my fair share of life compromises and having older women in my tribe to weigh in on their way of making it through the world has been a godsend. The result is this I make a lot of my business decisions with confidence, in many ways it's like they're always with me, poised on my shoulder rooting me on and helping me find my way. Having these three women (and one guy) in my life is an amazing motivator - I want to succeed not just for myself - but to show them that they were right for having invested in me and to test our combined theories on which way to proceed. As a mentor myself - I adore watching my staff and students grow, learn and gain confidence in what they do. My goal is not to see them envision "what would Cricket do" but for them to develop confidence in "what would I do...what's right for me". It can feel like a lot of responsibility to share an opinion about what someone else might do and I hope I do an OK job with that power. The reward of seeing the relationship grow and the individual blossom has been so satisfying. I hope that others see the power of that connection and lend a hand when presented with the opportunity. Nice post and the thought of one’s own personal “high council” is really comforting.

In the past few years I’ve gathered a few of my own Jedi Knights and it’s so great to have people who’ve been-there-done-that and are more than happy to share the triumphs. What’s even been more valuable is that many have also shared their pitfalls, and divulged their mistakes. Hearing their lessons learned, their regrets, and the changes they’ve made as a result has been eye opening. First because I’ve been so quick to put these people up on pedestals of perfection that it’s hard for me to envision that these people make mistakes at all. To learn about their perspective they’ve gained along the way is both comforting and galvanizing. Second to see how others grapple with making mistakes, letting things go and making amends while on their way opens up more options in my own field of view than I’d originally imagined.

As a woman and entrepreneur I’ve made more than my fair share of life compromises and having older women in my tribe to weigh in on their way of making it through the world has been a godsend. The result is this I make a lot of my business decisions with confidence, in many ways it’s like they’re always with me, poised on my shoulder rooting me on and helping me find my way.

Having these three women (and one guy) in my life is an amazing motivator – I want to succeed not just for myself – but to show them that they were right for having invested in me and to test our combined theories on which way to proceed.

As a mentor myself – I adore watching my staff and students grow, learn and gain confidence in what they do. My goal is not to see them envision “what would Cricket do” but for them to develop confidence in “what would I do…what’s right for me”. It can feel like a lot of responsibility to share an opinion about what someone else might do and I hope I do an OK job with that power. The reward of seeing the relationship grow and the individual blossom has been so satisfying. I hope that others see the power of that connection and lend a hand when presented with the opportunity.

]]> By: Mentor Found! | {Tinkering} http://blog.solomonwriting.com/the-mentor-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-42 Mentor Found! | {Tinkering} Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:18:47 +0000 http://blog.solomonwriting.com/?p=109#comment-42 [...] update for those of you wondering how The Mentor Challenge is going: I’ve got one! I asked, she said yes. We’re going to meet in September. [...] [...] update for those of you wondering how The Mentor Challenge is going: I’ve got one! I asked, she said yes. We’re going to meet in September. [...]

]]> By: Chris http://blog.solomonwriting.com/the-mentor-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-34 Chris Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:59:08 +0000 http://blog.solomonwriting.com/?p=109#comment-34 Hmmm...that's a cool point. I wonder what mentorship is like for businesspeople? (not being one myself) Hmmm…that’s a cool point.
I wonder what mentorship is like for businesspeople? (not being one myself)

]]> By: Julia http://blog.solomonwriting.com/the-mentor-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-33 Julia Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:56:52 +0000 http://blog.solomonwriting.com/?p=109#comment-33 Good point, Chris. I wonder why some careers do have a more established culture of mentorship. The ones that immediately come to mind (law, military, crafts/trades, academia) are ancient, traditional professions. Maybe it takes a while to build that culture. Good point, Chris. I wonder why some careers do have a more established culture of mentorship. The ones that immediately come to mind (law, military, crafts/trades, academia) are ancient, traditional professions. Maybe it takes a while to build that culture.

]]> By: Chris http://blog.solomonwriting.com/the-mentor-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-32 Chris Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:51:30 +0000 http://blog.solomonwriting.com/?p=109#comment-32 I agree - mentors are a great thing. Seems like some careers have more mentorship built in than others -- and when it's not built in, I guess you have to go find it. Does sound like it would take some gumption though...let us know how you do. I agree – mentors are a great thing. Seems like some careers have more mentorship built in than others — and when it’s not built in, I guess you have to go find it. Does sound like it would take some gumption though…let us know how you do.

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