Lessons Learned From My Mentees
As a mentor, I have learned many lessons from my mentees. My mentees have helped prepare me for my purpose. They inspired and challenged me and have been my breath of fresh air. My mentees are diverse in their own ways, talented, fun, amazing, innovative, and blazing trails in their ways, and I am beyond proud of them. I am proud of all they have accomplished and will be doing in the future
Mentees come into our lives to be mentored.
As I sat down to think of lessons from my mentee, three lessons came to mind. Let me share the three lessons my mentees taught me.
1. Perfect My Craft
I started writing to my mentees. I wanted to create something for them always to go back to reference. They were my first audience when it came to writing. Did I know that I would branch off and start a blog? NOT AT ALL!
I hit a stage in life where I gained so much knowledge from lessons learned and leadership retreats, and I wanted to share. I started to write and record videos to send to my mentees. This space gave me the ability to practice, practice, and practice. I did not feel comfortable or confident going public with my writing, but my mentees gave me a safe place to write and perfect my craft. Is there room for me to grow? YES, but as KingssKid continues to evolve and so will I.
2. Stay Committed
Being a mentor is no easy task; however, every fruitful relationship should be a two-way street. The mentee must want to have a desire to be mentored, and the mentor must be willing to have the time and commitment to the mentee's development. I still sent my videos and writings to my mentees during my graduate school studies. However, I had my own stress in life and graduate school, which is stress. I learned commitment in an entirely different light. I knew and still know that my mentees' development depends on me in specific ways. When I was tired and stressed from graduate school, some of my mentees would call.
Hearing their voice reassured me that they depended on me
Hearing their voice reminded me of why I started
Hearing their voice reminded me of my mentors' sacrifice and the people that poured into me.
I am the mentor I am today because my mentees believed in me and entrusted me to pour into them, and I have AMAZING MENTORS as well.
3. Become Versatile In My Communication Style
The way I explain one subject matter to one mentee, I may have to explain it differently to another. Each one of my mentees has their personality. They have taught me to be flexible in how I deliver messages. Everyone learns and interprets information differently, and as a mentor, it is my job to provide the message in a way that matches my mentees' communication style.
It is imperative to understand who played a role in developing your purpose.
It is important to answer the calling in your life even when you do not feel like it because it all will work out for your good.
As Romans 8:28 states: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose. Know that someone's purpose and healing are trapped in your willingness to mentor and inspire others.