Mentoring Teaching How to Think

Most of us will take a new job, and we depend on people to teach us. They become our mentors. Then comes the day we have to teach the newbie. We are their mentors.

So how do you train someone well? First remember some failures of other people to orient you before. Hours, breaks, bathrooms, and general rules of the office are helpful along with introducing coworkers.

The story of a new hire on a manual zinc die cast machine comes to mind. He just had to pull the lever to close the door, then push the lever open to get the part. New guy works through break, then thru lunch. Finally his manager asks him how he is doing? Sweating profusely the new guys says, “How do you stop this machine?” When told just don’t close the door. He picks up his things and walks out the door quitting on the spot. Training failure.

You need to show someone more than what steps to do. You need to teach them how to think. The steps are okay if everything goes right. What do you do if something is wrong? Mentors must teach how to think. How to handle unsatisfied customers. Who to call for problems. Safety rules and processes. Warning signs looking out for potential problems.

Here is a list of mentoring steps by a curmudgeon:

·   Read the draft manual & procedures.

·   Complete my required training.

·   Giddily using a red pencil to redline the hell out of my engineering drawings.

·   Go leave the comfort of our cubicle area to go to the labs and to walk the production line.

·   Forced me to talk with the mechanics and technicians.

·   No clue what to say, so he would politely say something in just the right way for me to rephrase it and ask it myself.

·   Stories shared from his 30+ years with the company on mistakes made & how they were fixed, successes achieved.

·   Important things to remember when running this test or that analysis.

·   Knowing how the organization works and who the key players are.

·   Why it's important to understand things from our customer's perspective.

·   The significance of integration & handoffs between engineering groups and our products.

·   Appreciation of the precision and detail required to generate computer equivalent engineering drawings by hand.

This woman’s career was been forever shaped by the time and effort this man put into her to learn about the craft of engineering.

Mentors are not done unless the trainee also has life skills to go do the job.  The soft skills of working with people have to be taught everyone. 

Especially the transition from schooling to working. Working with 2 interns they thought there would be no issue sitting down and talking with the CEO. My question was don’t you think he has other responsibilities to be working on? Most CEOs are the chief salesperson making decisions daily, that affect many employees. Part of our job is to protect their time so the CEO can focus. However if you have great ideas and necessary information, you need to bring it to the CEO.

Here are some soft skills were taught by my mentors:

·   Encouraged become a problem solver, to take initiative, and to meet deadlines.

·   Stressed 'problem solving'.

·   That things will go wrong, and to focus on prevention as well as recovery.

·   Asking good questions.

·   Help me develop perspective, and to take logical risks.

·   Humility - serious about my work and not so serious about myself. Life is easier.

·   Speak up and overcome my shyness.

·   Engineering should also be interesting and fun (and not to lose that)

Successful in my career and life because many people took their time to teach me life lessons, work skills, computer programs, problem solving, handling people on bad days, and maintain perspective in crisis’s. Am eternally grateful, and passing my learning on.

Who mentored you? Honor them by teaching others.

Volunteer to Grow

What is not obvious is the growth that comes from being a volunteer.

Got a nice compliment from a friend after our 7^th annual Chilifest. Was tired and cleanup was wrapping, so time to go. Paul said he really appreciated how I volunteer because I do so much.

Admit being a little embarrassed in front of the other volunteers. What I did that night was not that important. Helped set up tables, got people registered and to their table, made coffee, carried things, got ice and cooked hot dogs for the kids. Nothing other people don’t do.

Dawns later, was important talking with contestants, guests, kids and volunteers to make sure everyone had a good time. Probably what stood out.

Been volunteering for a long time. Giving blood, helping organize, grunt work, picking up trash, taking money, making name tags, inviting speakers, introducing people, and making (small) donations. Not special.

However have grown from young self-centered to thinking about others. Have gone from doing it myself to being part of a community. Went from shy to social. Met great people and continue to meet community & business leaders. Even considered a leader by others. Not intentional, just happened.

How to do it? Just show up, and be willing to do something. Am willing to wash dishes or serve anyone. Act like a host/hostess. Do something you haven’t done before. Be awkward. Let someone show you. Kids can be the best teachers.

Volunteers are not experts and don’t do this everyday. Nor do the people being helped expect perfection. We joke about things being messed up, because you get the help you pay for.

The best thing is not to do something and then leave. The most important thing you can do is meet people and let them know you care. Growth comes from caring.

"Embrace fear, insecurity and uncertainty as the doorways of opportunity that they are." 

- Jenny Blake, author “Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One”

People Don’t Succeed by Complaining

It is amazing how many people complain. Way past traffic or the weather. What else is driving them crazy today? Everything and Everyone.

Thing is I don’t see successful people complain. They talk about what is bothering them. Then talk about potential solutions or see if you have any ideas.

Yes I complain at times. Then I catch myself, or get tired of hearing myself. I don’t even want to listen to myself complain.

It is too easy to justify how I want to get it off my chest. But does it help you if I complain? Why should I burden you with my problems?

Our purpose in life is not to be right. Not to be perfect. We are here to help others.

Rather ask how you are doing and listen.

The Great Rewrite

Forbes and KPMG have created this wonderful video series on changing innovation is going to affect us all. Yesterday’s science fiction is today’s reality. New materials, new energy sources, new manufacturing methods, new intelligence and new tools for the future.

Companies have to go from one or two people to everyone creating innovations.

Please watch some of the videos. How are you going to adapt, thrive and create your own innovations?

What would you like to change?

http://www.forbes.com/kpmg/the-great-rewrite/#/

Even Success Has Down Times

Been a bad month or two for the diet. In July was down below my Goal at 174 lbs. Looking good as an old man can (not much to work with J)

Last 2 days back up to 180 lbs., which is the high end of desired weight range. Like to stay between 172 - 180 lbs.

What to Do to Cope

First laugh a little. It is NOT the END of the WORLD. Just need to get more disciplined and stop eating everything in sight. Liking to snack too much here.

No it is not fun to be setback. It is an excuse to walk/exercise a little more. Take the golf umbrella in the rain and wear boots for an extra mile.

Where is the healthy food? Did eat homemade fish burrito and veggies tonight.

Need to cut portions. Apparently full glasses of ice cream and 2^nd donuts are too much.

Remember even champions get off course now and again. That is why pro athletes have coaches and revise their programs.

So what ever you are struggling with, there are others struggling with and people who have overcome. Find someone else to talk with, get started with little steps, and find daylight to look at. Setbacks are only temporary.

You are not alone.