Hello everyone, welcome back! It's Charlie Hauck, President, Founder, Lead Trainer, and Coach at Growth Dynamics, here for another Fast Tip Friday.
One of the things I want to talk about today, especially as you think about developing yourself personally and professionally over the next year—and I'll say in 2025, but I encourage you to think of this as a long-term goal—is the concept of mentorship. Many people struggle with this, often viewing a mentor-mentee relationship as a binding contract where you’re committed to talking to someone a certain amount of times per week, per month, or whatever it may be. While there are times when this kind of structure and discipline can be helpful, I believe there are also many highly successful mentor-mentee relationships that are more informal.
In an "unofficial" mentor-mentee relationship, you may find someone who is perhaps older, wiser, or more experienced than you, someone whose approach to work or business you admire and would like to emulate. Yet, you may not be quite sure how to ask if they would be willing to mentor you. On the flip side, some of you might consider looking for a mentee, reversing the energy flow in this relationship type.
So, let’s take a quick moment to discuss what it means to be a mentor. For most people, a mentor serves as a sounding board—it's not about meeting any specific requirements. Being a mentor means taking time to share the value of your experience, which often takes longer to acquire than we realize when we’re new to business. Being a mentor involves being available, honest, truthful, and committed to helping others with the specific things they ask for guidance on. Sometimes, you may need to share hard truths, but more often, you get to be a cheerleader—not in a pandering or overly optimistic way, but by celebrating successes and helping mentees navigate their challenges and setbacks.
Being a mentor can be incredibly rewarding, and it doesn’t have to be formal. In my career, I’ve had many unofficial mentoring relationships, where I’ve simply let people know I’m available to help. My door is open if they need advice, my email is always ready to receive their questions, and I’ll always respond. This way, you get the chance to see someone else grow and succeed in a way similar to your own experience.
For those of you considering being a mentee, be open to the advice you receive. Don’t resist it, even if it sometimes makes you uncomfortable. A good mentor is there to challenge you, not make you miserable. Often, the things we resist most are the ones that offer the greatest benefits if we’re willing to make changes or "rearrange the furniture in our minds."
In 2025, I encourage all of you to seek out opportunities to be a mentor or a mentee—or maybe even both before the year ends! There is always someone with more experience than us, and always someone who would benefit from the experience we’ve gained through our growth, both in business and in life. Put yourself out there—be a learner, be a teacher. Give back, and let others benefit from your experience and wisdom before they make avoidable mistakes.
Invest in others, and I think you’ll find that what you put in comes back tenfold. Mentor-mentee relationships are truly rewarding. Please find a way to add them to your life.
Take care, have a great weekend, and jump back into it next Monday with energy, commitment, and a focus on creating the success you're aiming for. Thank you!
