c r o s s+r o a d s: Power Connections

Saturday, August 27, 2005

Power Connections

The Principle Of Mentoring

"As iron sharpens iron, so people can improve each other "

Proverbs 27:17 (NCV)

People understood the importance of connection. It is mostly used for economic gains-- like referrals for business deals and employment opportunity, or to ensure a hassle free processing of permits or clearance in gov’t. agencies. This is also used to avoid trouble-- like those who use their connection to settle their violation.

A connection is best used for noble purposes like professional growth and development. Our present relationships with people is not limited to economic gains, but most importantly, sharing and transfer of skills and knowledge. Connection with people can be utilized to develop our ASK. Attitudes, Skills and Knowledge.

The opportunity to learn is seldom utilized. Connection provides the opportunity for concerned individuals to "Sharpen each other".

Another proverb puts it this way:

Spend time with the wise, and you will become wise.. Prov. 13:20a (NCV)

Our connections may include all or any of the following:

(1) Top and/or Middle management

(2) Peers, colleagues in business and/or profession

(3) Subordinates.

Management as mentor

Bosses, technically speaking are mentors. They are supposed to guide and ensure that the people beneath will be able to carry out management’s goal. However, because of politics and competition, the process is not consummated. It is to our advantage, though, if we can extract from our leaders the wisdom that made them one. Our attitudes will determine how much we will gain from this relationship. If we desire their position, it is better to push him up, not out. Collaborate rather than compete. While at times our experiences with them may not be pleasant, the experience itself is already a lesson. The connection provides a window to observe, interact and learn. Regardless whether our boss is younger, newly hired or promoted, or less senior in terms of tenure, recognize and respect him as mentor. It’ll be good to your career. A mentor can also be sought outside your organization, a friend or relative can do. Professional associations can also be source of mentors.

PEERS as role model

Most often, we fail to see how peers can help us. It is easier to accept the people on top as mentors than those alongside or beneath us. Again our attitude determines how much we can learn from these people. By just observing, we can learn from the mistakes and successes of our peers. While they may not be candid about it, by being observant, we can extract wisdom; we can avoid their mistakes or add to our strategies the lessons from their successes. If we think we are better than them, we already missed the mark. We may wake up one day with our peers at work or business competitors way ahead of us.

SUBORDINATES as agents of growth

Peers and subordinates provide an experience where we can learn various processes and techniques. The worse the experience, the more lessons we learn. These people can make our life thorny by their lack of support, greed and refusal to recognize established authorities. Instead of complaining, be positive; recognize that their "bad" or "competitive" attitude is a way to hone our skills. These people can be our badge for promotion or business expansion.

Our attitude will determine how much we will learn from the people we are connected or in relation with, as the saying goes " your attitude determines your altitude". The article below will help us amplify our attitude.

Attitude
by: Rev. Charles Swindoll

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, then circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think, say, or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.
We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you. We are in charge of our attitudes.

Please ask permission from the author for use and/or reproduction of this material.

Severo Santos, also known as "Sonnie", is a Human Resource Manager, Trainer, Volunteer Worker and Forum Moderator. He is married to an educator and are gifted with two kids. Sonnie has authored several anecdotes on work issues and career development in the context of life principles. He is in the process of completing a book on practical wisdom at work.

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You can contact Sonnie by email at skopun@gmail.com