MENTOR HABITS

       

Transparency is a draw bridge

to a deeper relationship.

 

          Once upon a time I sat down to make a list of what I thought were my bad habits. When I got to bad habit number nineteen I decided I better stop creating the list and start working on my deficiencies! We all have bad habits. Do you have the courage and self confidence to ask someone about your bad habits?

       

          Transparency is "must have" quality in a mentor. Young people can see right through you. Being a fake and a fraud is one thing but pretending to be perfect is destructively hypocritical. It takes courage and vulnerability to admit weakness. Give up your false sense of security created through the facade of adulthood. It will only impair your ability to form productive relationships. 

          Ask your mentoree to tell you one or two things that they think will improve your character. What do you do that bugs them? Discuss character and give examples of exemplary character. I read a story in a book called "Up From Slavery" by Booker Washington. He told of a slave who had made a contract for his freedom with the man who owned him. He agreed to pay a certain sum of money for his freedom. He signed this contract while he was still a slave and before the end of the Civil War. Once the War was over, all slaves were declared free. The man was no longer a slave and nobody could force him to continue paying for his freedom. He paid anyway. The former slave continued to pay his former owner until the debt was paid. The man said he gave his word and he would honor it. Regardless of what you think about that story, the man had the kind of integrity that all of us should have. The world would be a better place if we all kept our word.

          We all have weaknesses and we all can grow. We can sow the seeds of better personal habits through transparency and vulnerability.

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

Bob Kuebler

Founder / Mentor Force

Mentor Force is an organization of initiators.
We help young people who are at risk of leading impoverished and violent lives.
We teach teachers, mentors and youth leaders how to build healthy relationships that make young people feel valued. Our goal is to ensure that every student has the benefit of being guided by a Mentor. If we can help you reach your potential as a Mentoring organization please contact us:  

716-830-8240 or mentorforcebuffalo@gmail.com. www.youthwithapurpose.org

We are available for school assemblies and educator conferences