One of the most gratifying roles I've ever experienced is that of a mentor. Having a positive impact on another person’s life leaves you with an unequaled feeling of accomplishment. I've had some incredible mentors in my life. It feels similar to paying back a debt when your role changes from mentee to mentor. It's satisfying to pass on a little bit of the guidance I too received.

The example I like to use happened at a national event where I was teaching toolbox selling skills. In the audience, I noticed the man who had taught and mentored me when I first started in the business. He was my first district manager. We had both changed flags and roles. He went back on a truck, and I was a district manager. I didn't want to embarrass him, but it felt good to call him out and recognize him as the person who taught me the skills that helped me to become successful.

What makes an effective mentor?

While there isn’t one specific quality or action that makes someone a quality mentor, it all comes down to how you engage with those around you.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

To be an effective mentor, I think the most important element is being a person who has earned the respect of their peers. You can't expect respect; you have to earn it. Many people have had experiences with leaders who believed you had to respect them because of their role or position. It's extremely important to have earned respect based on the way you conduct yourself and treat others. Earned respect comes from your actions every day.

Put yourself in their shoes

Empathy has to be a close second. Putting yourself in other people’s shoes gives you a better understanding and perspective of the challenges they are dealing with. As a manager, I had a few experiences of being at the corporate office with new dealers on their first day of tool school. I can remember addressing the groups at breakfast.

I'd tell them, “If you're not sitting here with a ton of anxiety, there's something wrong with you! All of you are starting a life-changing experience. You've no doubt quit good jobs and invested a lot of money. But every one of you has the capability of owning a successful tool business. You need to be open to listening to those around you who have been successful as they try to guide you.”

Open your ears, not your mouth

Listening is another important element of being a mentor. I'll be the first to admit, I sometimes (a lot of times) forget there's a reason we have two ears and one mouth. Without listening to others' ideas, concerns, and challenges, you'll never know how to help others to achieve their goals. 
And yes, having obtainable goals that you set for yourself and with your mentee allows for the measurement of progress. It helps to maintain focus and identify both strengths and weaknesses. To me, not having set goals is like trying to navigate without the benefit of a map.

Use your experience

A mentor also should have real-life experience. How could you expect to advise anyone if you've never “walked in those shoes?” In my role as district manager, I relied on my own experience of running a successful tool truck when advising other dealers. The knowledge I earned from not only my success, but also my failures, was immeasurable in my role as a mentor. It should be a requirement to have first been a dealer prior to taking on the role of district manager.

My last opportunity to mentor a new tool dealer occurred when I decided to retire. For a number of reasons, one of my customers, Elias Valdovinos, was the first person I thought of to take my route over. Fortunately for me, Valdovinos thought it would be a great opportunity. Like the well-known proverb about teaching a man to fish, I helped teach him how to fish. Not only did he become skilled at fishing, but, by the analogy, he went on to be one of the best commercial fishermen in the business. However, I'm positive he would have been a successful dealer even without a mentor.

Their success is your reward

I've written before about my “other family” — my tool family. This “family” has been one of the greatest gifts of owning a mobile tool business. Little did I know my last opportunity to mentor a new dealer would also be the most significant. The relationship I have with Valdovinos is closer to that of father and son than mentor and mentee. It turned out to be the ultimate way to exit with the benefit of now having a “son” in the business.

It's hard to describe the feeling when assisting someone else and their own success ends up being your greatest personal reward. This sense of purpose provided an excellent transition to my retirement. If you have the opportunity to be a mentor, I'd suggest you take on the role. You might just find out that it's one of the most rewarding decisions you'll ever make.