How can I be a mentor, teacher, coach if I don’t know everything?  No one knows everything, but everyone knows something.  Each of has unique strengths, skills, and experiences to draw upon and provide guidance to others.  Maybe it’s just a different perspective that is needed at the moment.  I find that in mentoring I can help others in this way. I also discovered that I have benefited from each opportunity.

“I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” – Edward Everett Hale

To help others.  When someone willing to learn and grow asks for my help, I do what I can to share what I have learned, experienced, and witnessed to provide a potential roadmap to be considered.   I am not saying that my views are the only path, nor even the right path for the individual.  I am merely recounting what I have done or would do in a similar situation. John Maxwell says we should, “Be a river and not a reservoir,” meaning to pass on what you get to benefit the next person.

 “When you learn, teach. When you get, give.”– Maya Angelou

To help yourself.  Helping others through mentoring returns many dividends.  First, I get to experience someone growing to achieve more than they have before. Next I build a connection that may one day provide help to me.  Third, I learn more about other strengths, skills, and experiences than I have that I would never understand if it were not for mentoring.

“Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.” – Booker T. Washington