In the same thought process of mentorship, one of the key ingredients for any mentor is to maintain honesty and transparency with those they mentor. This is where real trust is built and the lack of it can cause any ground gained lost in a matter of minutes.As a relationship is forged, real insight can be offered in any given situation. We commonly refer to this as a “teaching moment.” Teaching moments are vital in a mentoring relationship. Jesus often used teaching moments when He explained parables, encountered religious people, performed miracles and so forth.
I have found that even when I’m dealing with a serious situation, I can later use the elements from that situation to teach those I’m leading on “What to do” and “What not to do” when the time comes for them to encounter the same. It’s a true faith building exercise when you stand on your own two feet having been taught through the philosophy of “failure isn’t final.”
Is it risky? Yes, but it builds faith and provides one an opportunity to think outside the box as they navigate through choppy waters.
Will mistakes be made? Sure! But if you’ll give yourself the same amount of grace that God gives, you’ll learn to laugh at yourself when you make a mistake rather than torture yourself through needless condemnation.
Being honest and transparent also means owning up to what you don’t know. There is nothing worse than acting like you are knowledgeable about a subject in front of people only to have your ignorance proven during a test. Admit when you don’t know something. As a mentor you have the ability to find someone who does know the answer.
If you’ll be honest about your lack of knowledge in a certain area, you’ll free your followers to accept the fact that they too don’t know it all either. You will not destroy the faith of those you're leading if it is apparent that your motives were good and that you are trying to do the right thing for the whole. Your followers don't expect perfection, but they do expect and should receive honesty. An honest leader keeps followers' faith intact.
What you do have is perspective. You can offer old fashioned experience and teach from both the positive and the negative. Having the right perspective will keep you focused on your purpose.
Keys to Nurturing your Followers:
- Be transparent before them - Don't pretend to know it all or have it all together. They'll see right through that.
- Give them your time - One-on-one time with your followers adds to your ability to speak into their lives.
- Offer ongoing encouragement - Attempt to say something encouraging to them every time you see them.
- Model consistency in front of them - How can you expect them to be faithful, if you're not? Teach them how to be on time, work with excellence, give 100%, etc., by your own example.
- Hope the best for them - Mentoring takes time. Growing an oak tree takes time. Hope for the best always.
- Acknowledge them - Add significance to them by publicly acknowledging their efforts.
- Protect them - Let them know that they are safe in your presence to open their heart and share the innermost ideas and dreams. If they feel safe with you, they'll share their entire heart with you. Thus, an atmosphere of safety produces creative flow.
- Support them - They need to be able to connect with you for ongoing support 24/7.
- Reward their efforts - Look for ways to bless their work.
- Continue to believe in them - As long as they know you're believing in them, it will drive them forward, in spite of mistakes and failures.