Mentoring and Commitment
At this point in the series on mentoring, it would be well to review the definition of commitment, which is “a pledge or promise; obligation.”1
Common sense dictates that a person who desires mentoring would be committed to the process, but that is not always the case. The mentee may faithfully commit to meeting with the mentor, but the mentee may not commit to taking actions necessary to grow, develop, and transform into a better person, family member, employee, or citizen.
On the other hand, there are mentees who may be defensive at first, but they work to overcome their hurdles, and then transform into people of stronger character.
Does That Really Happen? Yes!
- Polly Procrastinator arrived for the meeting on time, claimed that she wanted to grow, and desired to change careers, but she never took the necessary actions to make her situation better.
- Donny Disputer met with me because he wanted to do better in the fire department promotional process. As I reviewed my observations of him and his answers after an interview he participated in, this individual wanted to argue with me and dispute what I saw and heard.
Polly Procrastinator
The world of fear and comfort trapped Polly Procrastinator in a family-owned business. Fear that she could never do the same job in another corporation. Fear that she would anger her father who founded the company. There was a level of comfort because she had a guaranteed paycheck with benefits, but she also feared losing both.
Donny Disputer
Donny desired promotion to the next level in the fire department, but initially he resisted hearing the truth that his performance and answers during the interview were subpar. As he attempted to argue with me, I informed Donny that our conversation would end. Donny took a breath, apologized, listened to what I said, and he took notes. Donny now serves in another fire department at the chief officer level.
What’s The Difference Between Polly and Donny?
The difference between the two is not only a level of commitment and self-awareness, but one engaged in the “Law of Intentionality” which states, “growth doesn’t just happen.”2 Another difference is that Polly has miserably meandered through life while Donny transformed into a person of stronger character with a successful career.
What About You?
Where do you fit into the spectrum of personal growth, development, and transformation? Are you Polly Procrastinator or Donny Disputer? What holds you back from developing your skills as a mentor?
Effective coaching can help you improve your skills and abilities as a mentor and reinforce your ability to make commitments. Contact me at [email protected] and visit my website at www.fireofficerleadershipacademy.com.
1 Commitment Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
2John C. Maxwell, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth (New York: Hachette Book Group, 2012), 1
