What Mentorship Really Means | Book Club with Simon

The relationship between mentor and 'mentee' is really mentor-mentor. It's like a friendship - sometimes we give, sometimes we receive. We can't just ask someone we don't know, "Will you be my mentor?" It evolves.

We have to keep physically distant, but we can still stay socially close. Let's do something together.

Join us for more Book Club with Simon:
Part 5: Friday - May 1 @ 3pm ET
Part 6: Friday - May 8 @ 3pm ET

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#SimonSinek #BookClubwithSimon
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Simon is an unshakable optimist who believes in a bright future and our ability to build it together. Described as “a visionary thinker with a rare intellect,” Simon teaches leaders and organizations how to inspire people. With a bold goal to help build a world in which the vast majority of people wake up every single day feeling inspired, feel safe at work, and feel fulfilled at the end of the day, Simon is leading a movement to inspire people to do the things that inspire them. Simon is the author of multiple best-selling books including Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, Together is Better, and Find Your Why. His new book, The Infinite Game, will be released in 2019.

Simon’s WHY: To inspire people to do the things that inspire them so that, together, each of us can change our world for the better.

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Simon’s books:

[carolw]

“They’re just there, and they believe in you.” Such a powerful statement. Simon, I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for me, even though we’ve never met! You’re just there, and I like to think you believe in me 😁

[minavocoaching]

As in many relationships (love, friendship, family, etc.), TRUST is the priority criteria in all of them including mentoring or coaching of course. When trust is not there, there won’t be a relation, and it takes time to build a “trusting relation “ either at work or in our family. Thanks Simon for your consistency in your “WHY”.

[naturelove]

Am blessed🙌🏻 my mentor is my best friend, and soulmate.She is always there for me to listen to me and support me, and although we are living far from each other, but we have never been apart.

[recepomercan]

First step of being a mentor. Accepting everyone is your mentor. Great catch!

[luzleal-esqueda]

What a great way to star believing in ourselves and trusting others💫

[oliveriovargas]

Mentors are the ones who don't give up on you!!!

[dreamers_]

Mentoring is a two way street...I love it!

[francisezeike]

The definition I've been looking for

[aslinsurance]

Thanks for clearing the air on what real mentorship is

[TW-mcwk]

Interesting take on mentors. I’m a paid mentor now, but looking back on my corporate career, I would say that I was successful at building world class teams, because I saw my role not as a Director, but as a mentor and got satisfaction and reward by seeing my teams succeed.

[CariaWatt]

Simon - you always discuss insightful topics. Thanks for sharing.

[wheel]

Love your work Simon, you videos helped me a lot in understanding leadership.
Keep inspiring and stay safe ❤️

[mohamed.eletre]

That's one of the so many things I think about, but you always find your way for better explanation. Great work Simon

[thobekilekacheta]

'A mentor is someone who always has time for Now I know where I stand with mine... 😔😔

[Loudtechie]

Great videos Simon, you're the man behind everything I do with passion, thanks for telling me fulfilment at work is not a privilege. You also inspired me to start a YouTube channel focusing on happy career, this way I pay it forward by spending sometime every week.

[PHM]

Love that ❤️I agree and feel that mentorship, like relationships, are a two way street, much like an AC electrical circuit. If it was just one way it would get short circuited. Something I heard recently is that you can have a long distance mentor, and learn from them, even if they don’t know you. The only way I can think to return energy to the mentor in that type of mentorship is, for example, typing (genuine) comments under their YouTube videos, and to say thank you, you’re on to something, and keep going 🙏👏👍

[maisenovich]

Love your perspective, it's definitely going both ways!

There are friends however, who do NOT return favors, who are ready to talk and NOT ready to listen. Do you have those? Did you have them in the past?

Actual question: how's coaching differs from mentorship?

[shirgoldenberg]

רון ברוטר. הפך לאחד מהמנטורים שלי. ממנו למדתי מהו מנטורינג - כמו בחברות זה משהו שמתפתח.
מנטור הוא אדם שתמיד יש לו זמן עבורך. התקשרתי אליו ובקשתי ממנו עצה. וכך פעם אחר פעם ותמיד היה לו זמן עבורי. יחסי מנטורים הם הדדים. כמו בחברות לפעמים אתה ההותן ולפעמים אתה המקבל.

[_Diggler]

Want Simon to be your mentor? Watch his videos. Read his writings. Follow him on Twitter. DM him on occasion and over time, y’all may connect. And then maybe something grows.

[SniperPitch]

Hi Simon,

I first wanted to thank you for the content of your discussions and videos, having not commented on your videos until now. Your views are insightful, thought provoking, and sometimes rather inspirational.

With that said, I wanted to ask you three questions based on this video, as some of the ideas you’ve proposed conflict with my notions of mentorship. I apologise if you’ve already answered these in another video.

I would agree that mentorship is a mutual relationship. However, my understanding of mentorship is based upon someone inexperienced seeking advice from a person of expertise, as well as experience. In this regard, does this not differ from friendship, with one person more dependent on the other?

Is it not the responsibility of a company to recognise, nurture, and develop young talent?

Using sport as an example, young players look towards experienced and retired players, as well as coaching staff, to understand how to handle situations and experiences in their environment. This I believe results in the overall culture we would see today.

So therefore, assuming the answer is yes to the second question, isn’t mentorship therefore implied, and should therefore be encouraged, within the roles of managers and experienced staff?

I thank you in advance for any response you're able to provide me.