I am writing from the perspective of a follower and future leader. At a young age, I made a point to observe, listen, and respect the role models that I noticed who were particularly successful in business and life. I have been blessed by their lectures and knowledge which they have shared with me over years. So what is the success to creating leaders through mentoring?

The mentoring process starts with a great leader who enjoys passing on experience and knowledge to their followers.  If there is someone you want to mentor or someone who seeks advice from you, make sure you ask their permission. Permission mentoring is a process that creates and evolves aspiring leaders.  Some individuals don’t want to be coached, or are not ready for instruction at that particular time, so asking for permission is key.  Creating agreements is an effective process in mentoring.  Having willing agreements with employees/followers will help the accountability process.  Most importantly, when setting agreements, try to avoid establishing outcomes. Instead, agree on direction, activities, and conduct.  The mentoring process should set aside uninterrupted time.  During the appointment, recognize specific actions that deserve praise.  As a follower, you really appreciate if your mentor is involved in your development and acknowledges your successes as well as failures.  Lastly, measure your results and make changes when needed.  This is a life long process; the greater the communication is between the two parties, the greater the outcome.

CRUX: Great leaders create followers; excellent leaders create leaders! Ask permission, set an agreement, stay involved and measure your results.

“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.” – John Cosby

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