Mentoring

Last week, 34 budding entrepreneurs were connected to mentors in a two-day residential workshop conducted by GEMS. Born of the vision of Rajkumar Kamat, GEMS is Goa Entrepreneur Mentoring Service Trust that seeks to share the experience of business achievers with the ones who are starting off. The mentors will provide expertise to less experienced individuals to help them advance their dreams, enhance their learning and build their networks.

Mentoring programs are increasingly popular in various organisations where newcomers are paired with experienced people, who act as friends and guides. However the GEMS initiative is commendable as the mentors are mentoring those who can be their future competitors. So does mentoring make sense when not within an organisation? Is it foolish to empower one’s competition?

We need to remember that the qualities of an effective mentor include risk taking, trustworthiness, a depth of knowledge and above all being emotionally strong. Mentoring obviously can come only from a position of courage, confidence and competence. It requires the ability to envision the worthy dream to pass on the baton of experience and thus be able to leave a legacy.

Mentoring needs us to move beyond illusionary insecurities. And it is the right attitude that makes the mentor moves to higher levels as he mentors his mentees. Indeed while it is great to be efficient in achieving, we will be better at creating an impactful legacy when we involve in mentoring. Having the courage to share through mentoring is the true test of every achiever.

True confidence does not stop at self-centred achieving

Let’s BE BETTER at having the courage to do mentoring!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.