The Mentor's Corset

An x-ray reveals the damage done from a corset. Transparency in revealing your flaws may help somebody.

          The corset has been used for many years to create an illusion of an acceptable body. There are a few other reasons for wearing a corset like spinal problems but they were primarily used to make the body of a woman appear more attractive. The corset could hide flaws and make curves. Today the corset has been mostly relegated to costume status. A Mentor has flaws, do you hide them from your Mentee?

           Transparency is a good trust builder. I once had a young lady ask: "How much about my life should I tell other people?" The answer is relative to the current circumstances and the depth of your current relationship. I believe that any part of my history that may help someone deal with their own problems is fair game. Compassion should dictate the depth of any personal revelation.

          Your goal in Mentoring is to help someone learn and grow. Nobody is flawless. Nobody has all the answers. If you try and make yourself look like a "goody two shoes" you might as well put on a Mentor's Corset. Your Mentee will recognize the corset and the fact that you are hiding flaws. You do not have to give a full blown history of all of your personal indiscretions or embarrassing history. People who do that are seeking for self glory anyway.  Be real, be transparent, be generous and compassionate, leave your corset home!

Thanks for your time.
Go do something nice for somebody.

Photo taken from: 
The Huffington Post  |  Posted: 05/22/2013 10:28 am EDT  |  Updated: 05/22/2013 10:28 am EDT
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/22/corset-pictures-xrays_n_3319362.html