By Janice Spangenburg, Ph.D.
Faculty Member, School of Business at American Public University
Mentoring is an art and a science of knowing someone and being able to share and be freely supportive and critical to the betterment of all concerned. Being able to help another person achieve success is what mentoring is all about. Mentoring is such a joy to me and has been a critical aspect of my whole life from the earliest times that I can remember.
Mentoring at all Ages
My whole life has involved mentoring of some type. Even when I was young, I was out there supporting the kids in my neighborhood. I listened and communicated with them and helped them to see the pros and cons of whatever they were going through. Being able to understand and communicate with them at that early time created the foundation for my future work.
When I became an adult, young people inside and outside the Navy sought my support and advice. Many young sailors would come to me and ask me questions about their continued careers and their aspirations and this helped connect me with the navy men and women. I tackled questions about their direction in life, personally and professionally. I once again listened and gave them my best advice while helping them to find their own thinking and outcomes.
[Related: “To Be or Not to Be” … a Mentor]
I now mentor in the academic area and I have found my foundational learning still holds true. I work with students to help them achieve personal and professional goals. A mentor is someone who inspires, guides, walks the walk, and talks the talk.
We all Need a Mentor
Nothing is too great nor too much to achieve when we have the right people supporting us. While a mentor does not have to be in that role for a lifetime, being there for a time really makes the impact and difference needed for that individual to soar. If we can dream it, we can attain it with the right support, determination, and focus.
[Related: Evolving Your Career Through a Mentor]
It is refreshing to have someone who we can bounce things off with and who understands what we are going through at the time. Sometimes just a bit of understanding and support is all that is needed to break through what is holding us down and back.
We have to remain open to critical feedback and be able to change course. A great mentor helps to make our skills and abilities operational and to use them the best outcome possible.
About the Author: Dr. Janice Spangenburg spent over 24 years in the military and federal government working with all five services. She has led two successful management consulting practices. She is currently on the Board of Directors for the Association of Accredited Small Business Consultants, mentors, and advises government and organizations on business and leadership matters. Dr. Spangenburg has held various positions in higher education, both administrative and teaching, for over 18 years.
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