Closing Your Gaps

Three people in my life continue to inspire and challenge me to grow and develop. These are my mentors. Mary Alice, a professor that I had while attending SMU, continually challenges me professionally and personally. She is a woman that I respect and am able to take her challenging feedback. She has coached and mentored me through many professional and personal development opportunities for the last twelve years. Wendell, has been an intricate part of my growth and development and has also challenged me to grow over the last nine years. Our relationship began as a formal relationship where I conducted an interview with him to learn more about his area of expertise. From there, he has watched me bloom into the professional that I am today. He continually reminds me of my growth and how proud he is of my milestones. Finally, George, a similar situation, met me for coffee so I could learn more about his expertise. Our relationship also blossomed into a friendship where I enjoy the company of him and his beautiful wife, Suzan.

With all this said, these three mentors have been instrumental in my life and have helped me close personal and professional gaps. I ask many of my colleagues and students if they have a mentor. I’m surprised at the number of people who don’t have a mentor. I challenge everyone to get a mentor. Here are my suggestions for finding that person(s) in your life:

1. Interview individuals in your area of expertise and determine their passions. Ask yourself, “Is this person someone who could help me close some of my gaps?” Once you find that magical person, begin to share your journey.
2. Ask the person if they are interested in partnering with you as your mentor.
3. Build the relationship. Meet with this person once a month for coffee or lunch. You can also just visit on the phone. Mary Alice and I are states apart, so we find time to visit on the phone. I also travel once a year to see her.
4. Set goals. Ask the mentor to help you set important goals that will guide you to meeting your professional goals.
5. Ask your mentor for feedback as you are accomplishing your goals. George is great at providing me feedback. He always challenges me and supports me with the right balance between the two!
6. Take the formal to informal. As you continue to develop a professional relationship with your mentor, the hope is that it will become informal. Wendell and I meet for wine or beer to talk about our professional and personal goals. Yep! That’s right; I’m now helping him professionally and personally too. It becomes a two way street, where you learn from each other.
7. Enjoy closing your gaps and journeying through life with an additional perspective: Your mentor!