Mentorship

By Trent Kitsch

As life has gone on, I’ve been fortunate enough to be asked for mentorship. Now I’m reflecting on my own experiences with mentors and how they’ve shaped me, my businesses and my life.

I’ve been incredibly lucky to have crossed paths with individuals who generously poured their wisdom and experience into me.  Mentorship has been a compass in uncertain terrain, a sounding board for crazy ideas, and a safety net when I inevitably stumbled.

I want to talk about two big questions today:

1. How do you get a mentor and who are your mentors?

2. How to get the most out of a mentor?

3. Do Mentors need to be alive? 

Mentorship to me is looking up to someone, and then being exposed to their teachings and opening you ears and mind.

That is the Yin and the Yang of great mentors - they are a balance of friend and father/mother figure.

• Someone you can sit in the truth tree with and ask vulnerable hard questions too.

• Someone who, when you’re faced with a hard decision, you can listen to and find the answer in the teaching of their values.

  
  

A parent can be a mentor, a cousin, and uncle, and auntie, but for now lets exclude family.

My greatest mentors have been Greg Hamilton, Stewart Thornhill, Mike Dalton, and Jim Rohn. Introduced into my life in that order and thank the lord he placed these amazing people in my path.

A baseball coach, an MBA Professor, an Entrepreneur and Superdad, and a personal development guru who passed away 16 years ago. Each one example to me their actions and approach and each one shared with me guidance to learn jewels from. 

I call or meet with each of the living a few times a year (listen to Jim almost daily), and it feels great to be able to ask questions and seek direction from people you trust and want the best for you. 

How to get a mentor

Ask them.

Send an email or catch them at a trade show. I met Nick Graham this way the founder of Joe Boxer, by knowing who he was, seeing him at MAGIC in Vegas and walking up to him. We are friends still to this day. 

I recommend you try to find a mentor or two or three, as they are wise and want to share their wisdom with those coming up.

It is also nice to know people look up to you and value your advice and experience.

As well once you gather a few mentors’ advice and compare notes, hopefully the picture becomes more clear on the direction you should take or decision you should make. 

How to get the most out of a mentor?

1. Be prepared. Don't show up to a meeting empty-handed. Do your homework, have specific questions, and be ready to discuss tangible challenges and opportunities. Respect their time. they're gifting you something incredibly valuable.

   
   

2. Listen actively. It sounds simple, but truly absorbing what they're saying, asking clarifying questions, and resisting the urge to immediately jump in with your own thoughts is crucial.

   
   

3. Be accountable. If they give you advice or an action item, follow through. Show them that their time and effort are not being wasted.

   
   

4.  Be open to feedback, even if it's tough. Growth often comes from confronting our blind spots, and a good mentor will help you see them.

Your mentor does not need to be alive.

Jim Rohn has been on the other side for 16 years and he still fills my mental factory from seminars in the 1980’s.

The content still rings true today.

I always value the experience of those who have done before me. When I was at Oklahoma State in 1998 - trying to be a major leaguer - I had two coaches Robbie Wine, and John Farrell who had played in the big leagues.

So every time they spoke I was all ears, put great value on the words of those who have done it, and I wish you all great mentors and thank you to my mentors for all you have done for me.

What types of mentors and guidance do you seek? How have they impacted the course of your life?