Leadership Principles part 8

Leadership should be inspiring and motivating.  How do you know if you are successful?  Who is striving to be like you and comes to you for guidance and advice?  Teaching and mentoring others is one of the most important roles you have as a leader

Mentor and educate others, support them in meeting their challenges and goals

Teaching and mentoring is what assures the continuing success of the company.  Taking those from within the ranks and lifting them up, even if it means that they leave the company to test their skills and knowledge elsewhere, is a positive thing.  It assures the lasting legacy of leadership.

Do not make the mistake of thinking that only those with advanced education or better job titles, deserve the benefit of your mentoring.  Too often those in entry level positions are passed up because of the lack of that certain framed piece of paper.  I personally believe in the value of education but strongly implore those in senior and leadership positions to look at the whole person.  If he or she does not have certain credentials, do they have other ones?  Why have they not received significant post secondary education?  Is she or he a single parent, parent of a sick child or perhaps caring for elderly or sick parents?  Some highly intelligent and hard working people just never had the opportunity due to personal situations.  So do not overlook them when mentoring.  I would even suggest that you seek out those with personal characteristics of excellent work ethic and drive along side those who have had more opportunities land freely in their lap.  I recognize that this may be controversial however I implore you to first of all implement a mentoring program within your work place,  Secondly I implore you to mentor based on merit on a flexible list of criteria.   Beyond raising your children, this will contribute the most to a better world and a bright future.