We have a small window that is closing fast. Th e fi rst baby boomers are 70 and the last ones will reach retirement in only 15 years. Our successors are taking over or are in training to take over. We want them to be successful. It is our job, our responsibility, even our duty, to accelerate the development of leadership. If we do this to the best of our ability, our successors will be ready. Th is upcoming group is smart and tech savvy. Th ey are better prepared for automation and deeplevel computer control than we are. It is not primarily knowledge that we need to impart, nor skills and abilities, although this certainly is important. We need to transmit something of our attitude, our judgment and of our pride in good products and in solid machines. Th ere are already classes in knowledge, skills, processes and procedures. Th ere are very little programs available about attitudes, judgement and pride. Mentor One antidote is personal. It is called mentoring. Mentoring is a special relationship between a senior person (the mentor) dedicated to the business and development of the person being mentored. Th e story of Mentor comes from Homer’s Odyssey. It is the story of Odysseus’ 10-year trip home aft er the fall of Troy. When Odysseus, king of Ithaca, went off to fi ght the Trojan War, By Joel Levitt, Director of International Projects, Life Cycle Engineering he entrusts the care of his household to Mentor, who serves as teacher and overseer of Odysseus’ son, Telemachus. Th e word “mentor” evolved to mean trusted advisor, friend, teacher and wise person. According to Emory University’s Learning and Organizational Development: “Mentoring is a fundamental form of human development where one person invests time, energy and personal know-how in assisting the growth and ability of another person.” What They Do Mentors provide counsel. Th ey might advise patience when that is needed or action when that is needed. Mentors teach a person to “see” and properly evaluate reality. Th ey provide context for what is going on at the company. Th ey aff ord a big picture view to help the mentee understand a current crisis more clearly. Th ey can be a mirror so that the mentee can “look” and see themselves in the future. Furthermore, mentors help the mentee be prepared and help them avoid being blindsided by events or people. Mentors listen deeply and powerfully to the mentee. Listening closely, and without fi lters or concerns (sometimes called innocent listening), will help the mentee get stronger and more mature. Th is kind of listening is like putting fertilizer on a garden. It makes it grow. Mentors show confi dence in the mentee. Sometimes the only thing a person needs is for someone to believe in them. In the movie Joy, the only person that believed in Joy was her grandmother. In the face of universal negativity in Joy’s family, her grandmother’s confi dence was enough to carry her through. Mentors also make introductions to people who might be useful to the mentee, provide resources for projects and help create and manage opportunities. Benefi ts A well-mentored person has an increased comfort level in their job and life. Th is comes from the enhanced relationship with reality. Plus, they tend to be more eff ective than they once were. Th eir increased eff ectiveness comes from knowing what is important and what is less important. All of this tends to enable them to have more fun at work. For the mentor, there is a feeling of satisfaction from making a contribution to someone’s life. For my next column, I will discuss how to get started as a mentor. Joel Levitt is director of international projects for Life Cycle Engineering (www.lce.com), an organization that provides consulting, engineering, applied technology and education solutions that deliver lasting results. Previously, he was president of Springfield Resources (www.maintenancetraining. com), a management consulting firm. It is our responsibility The need to cultivate our successors Workers benefi t from mentoring because they receive advice and guidance from those with greater knowledge and experience. Those workers then make fewer mistakes and become more productive. Photo from iStock IT HELPS motivate and engage employees. | Management NON - TOXIC NON- CORROSIVE BIODEGRADABLE SAFEsm Fleet Wash Use in both No Touch and Automatic Systems VehicleServicePros.com/10094365 Fleet Wash f Designed for tough jobs like heavy truck washing, this product instantly dissolves greasy, oily soils. e All Purpose Cleaner Cleans & Freshens t Car Interiors t Service Counters t Walls t Waiting Areas t “Foaming Action” call 1-800-528-0334 or visit www.oileater.com For FREE sample visit http://tiny.cc/oileater 34 FLEET MAINTENANCE ❚ JULY 2016 ❚ VehicleServicePros.com
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