Who are you intentionally influencing (mentoring)?
All of us have conversations that influence others. Truth be known, all of our communication is influencing...for better or for worse...all the time.
Primary Mentors--Part C:
Repeating from last week, when a person asks you or me to be their mentor, it’s important to find out what they are wanting and hoping for...timing...intensity...purpose...focus...desired outcomes, etc. Without a clear mutual understanding between the two of you, you are simply having a casual conversation...not an intentional one.
Too often, between mentor and mentee, unless there is clarity on the purpose of getting together, it’s too easy to assume, and too easy to wander around in why you are spending time together. Some times I’ve assumed that people want more than they really are asking for. Other times, I’ve not caught the signals of someone hoping for more. Clarity is crucial.
As mentioned on my Facebook page, and other places, a couple of weeks ago it was my sacred privilege and deep delight to be part of the staff training for Camp KIVU down in Durango. Here is a pic of this remarkable crew:
Talk about a vibrant bunch of souls, eager to make a difference in their world. Wow...there they are!...new friends I am most thankful for and proud of...worth pouring into...intentionally!!!
When the 2011 summer camp season ends, several of them have already asked for more time. When we get to talk that over, I will be following up to seek out what they are truly asking for. Being intentional is the key. Without that, deep-change, whole-life, redemptive, transformational mentoring is not possible.
I admit...I’m hanging hard in these three posts on being intentional if you are going to mentor anyone. But even the most fun and casual of conversations with someone seeking mentoring, needs to be creatively offered...stepping stones through the eight dimensions of their lives to deep-change...watching them come alive.
Too often, between mentor and mentee, unless there is clarity on the purpose of getting together, it’s too easy to assume, and too easy to wander around in why you are spending time together. Some times I’ve assumed that people want more than they really are asking for. Other times, I’ve not caught the signals of someone hoping for more. Clarity is crucial.
As mentioned on my Facebook page, and other places, a couple of weeks ago it was my sacred privilege and deep delight to be part of the staff training for Camp KIVU down in Durango. Here is a pic of this remarkable crew:
Talk about a vibrant bunch of souls, eager to make a difference in their world. Wow...there they are!...new friends I am most thankful for and proud of...worth pouring into...intentionally!!!
When the 2011 summer camp season ends, several of them have already asked for more time. When we get to talk that over, I will be following up to seek out what they are truly asking for. Being intentional is the key. Without that, deep-change, whole-life, redemptive, transformational mentoring is not possible.
I admit...I’m hanging hard in these three posts on being intentional if you are going to mentor anyone. But even the most fun and casual of conversations with someone seeking mentoring, needs to be creatively offered...stepping stones through the eight dimensions of their lives to deep-change...watching them come alive.
Get ready to rejoice when you are intentional.
How will you creatively do that with every conversation you have in this week to come...casual, all the way to fairly involved moments with what is stirring in another person’s soul?
© Three3rdsMedia 2011...in association with LeadershipDesignGroup
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