A 19th century businessman captured the power of mentoring when he said, “If I had to live my life over again, I would live it to change the lives of people because you have not changed anything until you’ve changed the lives of people.”
By Brian Altman, Vice President of Leadership Development
Recently I was reading one of several devotional books I keep beside my bed and I came across a quote that caused me to sit up and stop reading. The quote was from Warren Webster, a businessman in the 1800s whose company, Warren Webster and Co., changed the landscape of mechanical engineering by developing systems that produced consistent, comfortable, and affordable heat to buildings using steam.
Warren Webster and Co. forever changed building architecture. But this particular quote wasn’t referencing any of that. His quote was profound and it struck right at the foundational premise of how Ray and Kevin have built FreeLife: “If I had to live my life over again, I would live it to change the lives of people because you have not changed anything until you’ve changed the lives of people.”
There’s no doubt this man experienced tremendous success in the business world. We can only assume he gave much of his life to building his great company. But despite all he accomplished, he realized it isn’t accomplishments that leave a lasting legacy. Deep down inside he knew that the greater calling for him to make a lasting impact was changing another person’s life.
As I read his quote, I thought, “This businessman would have loved FreeLife.” As I look around the leadership ranks within FreeLife, I see many Warren Websters. These are the Leaders mentoring the next generation because they care about significance. They are not afraid to get close and walk beside another person through the journey of FreeLife. They are able to establish goals and hold themselves accountable because their relationship is built on a “mentoring style” friendship.
Mentoring is a process that requires you to accept responsibility for taking a new Marketing Executive down a clear and concise path based on his or her goals. It can only bloom if the other person desires to be equipped, so move forward based on his or her willingness to be mentored. Mentoring happens when you:
Have an appreciation for others. Leaders must have sensitivity toward the value of others. You must have a sincere concern for another person not only as it relates to FreeLife, but as it relates to a friend in life as well.
Invest time in others. In order to mentor, you must spend individual time with key people. Your motive should be pure in heart and mind: that you’re mentoring to help them achieve success rather than mentoring because it’ll benefit you and your business.
Have significant contact with, and listen to, them. The closer you get to another person, the more influence you will have on that person’s life. Engaging with others and learning to ask questions and then to listen helps you better understand the dreams and goals of those you mentor.
Mature and grow in your understanding of leadership. Perhaps it is necessary for you to mature and grow in your leadership before you take on a mentoring role. You’ll know when you’re ready because you begin to sense a deeper responsibility to pass on to others what you’ve experienced.
As a Leader in FreeLife, mentoring requires discipline and commitment. Your responsibility is to teach your new Marketing Executive and share your experience of the journey up to this point. Then with each step forward, you’re walking side by side learning and sharing the FreeLife experience together.
In the beginning, you may only have the capacity to mentor one or two. Regardless of the number, just begin. A great way to begin is to call them on the phone each morning and tell them how much you care about them. Another way would be to have breakfast one day during the week.
No matter how you begin, I encourage you to make a commitment this month and become a mentor to at least one person in your Organization. You have so much to give! You’re a champion!
