True mentors are more than a boss

Russell Bell Business Zen Zenith Solutions Tracey Grant photo WGC 28Apr12 - WGG 15Nov12 - SPEAKING OUT: Brian Doughty, Keith Beautrais, Russell Bell, Jenny Duncan, Tim Groser.

Before setting up Zenith Solutions, which celebrates its fifth birthday in a couple of weeks, I had worked for a number of bosses.

Each had their own style - some were good at what they did and others were just kidding themselves. A few of these were leaders in the truest sense and were inspiring and skilful in their approach, but only two were what I would consider the most effective of them all - mentors.

True mentors combine leadership qualities with skill and ability but take it one step further - mentors develop people by taking them under their wing. What emerges is the most effective model for development of people - a close relationship which is characterised by the most pure and unencumbered channel through which advice, ideas, creativity, guidance and understanding can flow.

A mentor is more than a boss and is not just about authority. In such a relationship there is no need for enforcement as the line of authority is a given and unlikely to be challenged.

Mentors also take a genuine interest and invest in their charges, there is no room for platitudes or fakery. In fact, such things cannot exist in a true mentoring relationship.

And here in Wanganui a few characters in the business community are mentors and clearly take their people to levels that mere "bosses" could not.

Having experienced what it is like to have a mentor in the truest sense, I know what I need to do to be effective for the clients I mentor.

I have also known people who have professed to be such, but couldn't mentor their way out of a paper bag. They were merely bosses and talked a good game, but nothing more. Invariably those who were absolutely not mentors regularly told me that they were.

The greatest mentors in my life, of which there were two, never had to explain themselves - they led by example and the mentoring relationship developed naturally.

One of the services which Zenith provides is mentoring and I regard this role as a privilege.

All our "mentorees" bring different skills and experiences to the table and they all perform different roles and responsibilities. However, they all have one thing in common - a desire to improve and contribute more effectively to their organisations.

One of my clients has recently transitioned into a leadership role.

Staff and directors at this organisation have noted positive change and I am confident my client will go on from strength to strength in a leadership role.

-Russell Bell's Zenith Strategic Solutions is a specialist Wanganui business advice and consultancy practice - 021 244 2421.