Before You Go...
The Enduring Value of Mentors By Scott Mehaffey
By now
you’re probably in the throes of another busy season—running high on anxiety and commitments, and low on time for sleep let alone reflection. Hopefully, many of the plans, procedures and improvements you made over the winter months are now in use. But some familiar frustrations may continue. You could ask for help but from whom? Your coworkers are equally as busy. Maybe you need a mentor. “Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction,” according to Dr. John C. Crosby of The Uncommon Individual Foundation. Crosby recommends that companies develop a structured program that “educates, encourages, and enables individuals to recognize the power of mentoring and its role in achieving personal success, inspiring change, and making a positive contribution to society.” As with many aspects of personal and organizational development, when it comes to establishing a mentorship program, the possible resources and alternatives are seemingly endless. In general, people interact most freely with others who share their professional focus and work experience. Peer Mentoring Programs pair a person who has lived or worked through a specific experience (peer mentor) and a person who is new to that experience (the peer mentee). Some pairs may make contact once a month, while others may meet 3-4 times per month or more. Typically, mentors and mentees meet more often in the beginning of the relationship to establish a good foundation and level of trust. Peer Mentoring does not necessarily have to happen within the company. In fact, there are many benefits to gaining an outsider’s perspective, provided both individuals self-censure so as not to reveal privileged company information. For this reason, it may be beneficial to select a non-competitor or to work with someone located outside of your market area. Mentors and mentees can often be found through professional associations or personal contacts (i.e. a former boss, former coworker, college classmate, etc.) Communication can hap62
pen through email and telephone as well as in-person meetings. Teachers and coaches are two other great resources for personal and organizational development. Education and training represent a commitment to improving your skills and abilities, staying current and being productive. Like mentors and mentees, teachers and students also learn from each other, so there is great value to either role. Teaching provides the impetus to organize your thoughts, convey information and hone your listening skills, as well as cognitive and verbal response skills. A good coach can do wonders for an underperforming team, whether on the field or in the workplace. There are team coaches, executive coaches, professional coaches, personal coaches, life coaches, etc. The International Coach Federation—the leading global coaching organization and professional association for coaches—defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.” In a September 2017 article published in the Harvard Business Review, management consultants Eric Garton and Michael Mankins make the case that companies need to invest more in people—and that increases in productivity typically far outweigh the costs. In researching for their recent book, Time, Talent, Energy, they found that the top-quartile companies in their study unlocked 40 percent more productive power by systematically reinvesting in their human capital. “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” — Plutarch Editor’s Note: This series of columns is by Chicago-area landscape architect Scott Mehaffey. Scott has enjoyed a long and varied career in the landscape world. He has spent time in the employ of contractors, public gardens, and the City of Chicago. He now operates his own design firm and is an ILCA member. His musings are intended to be reflective, inspirational, and occasionally motivational.
The Landscape Contractor May 2018