The Ultimate Guide to Great Mentorship summary

Have you ever watched a team of archaeologists on a dig? Before they surface any priceless antique artifacts, they spend a lot of time brushing away the sand with delicate brushes. A lot of time: weeks, months, even years. But they keep at it – they have a hunch there’ll be a big payoff at the end of all their patient work.

The Revealer is a bit like an archaeologist. They have faith that their mentee already has the passions, talents, and ambitions they need to succeed in their field; their role, they feel, is to bring all these skills and enthusiasm to light. With patience and care, they reveal what's beneath the surface for the mentee. 

Of course, a professional mentor has a slightly more abstract toolkit than the archaeologist’s trowels and brushes. What strategies can the Revealer use to uncover their mentee’s potential?

To begin with, the Revealer has a well-honed understanding of their mentee’s “dig site” – in other words, their context. This context includes their aspirations, abilities, and working conditions. Only once the Revealer understands their mentee’s dig site can they begin to offer guidance. For example, they might suggest that their mentee’s abilities and aspirations aren’t harmoniously aligned. Or they may observe that, in order to develop their abilities, their mentee might need to consider changing teams or even jobs.

The Revealer typically works slowly and keeps an open mind – letting go of preconceived notions allows them to see their mentee’s true potential with a greater level of accuracy. Crucially, the Revealer doesn’t try to shape their mentee in their own image; they’re interested in uncovering their mentee’s unique capabilities and working style, not in pressuring their mentee to conform to habits that have worked for them.

You won't create a masterpiece mentee overnight. The Revealer lays the foundation through rapport, care, and faith that the mentee's passions and goals will be uncovered over time.