Do you have the time to Mentor?

When I started my professional career (more than 25 years ago 😊), I remember feeling lost and not knowing exactly what I wanted to do, or become and I did not see a clear roadmap for myself.

I remember thinking, I want to be an educator, but not specifically a teacher. In my twenties, I had the amazing opportunity to supervise an entire team of aspiring professionals. Some were in their twenties and others were in their thirties. It was in that experience that I quickly learned that leadership does not have an age. Leadership is about experience, growth, and the ability to inspire others.

However, it was also in that experience that I learned how to be a leader without having a mentor. And till this day, that experience reminds me that we should always provide new aspiring professionals with mentorship.

Since then, I have had the opportunity to hire and mentor some amazing people. Folks who have gone on to become nationally recognized speakers, Essence Festival headliners, international poets, teachers, lawyers, principals, entrepreneurs, and leaders in their communities.

And one thing I have learned is this: sometimes people do not need someone to give them all the answers. Sometimes they simply need someone who believes in them enough to listen, guide, encourage, challenge, and remind them of what they are capable of becoming.

Mentorship does not always require a formal program, a title, or years of expertise. Sometimes mentorship is answering a phone call. Reviewing a résumé. Helping someone prepare for an interview. Connecting them to an opportunity. Giving honest feedback. Or simply checking in and asking, “How are you doing?”

Mentorship can also be very structured. Setting clear expectations for the relationship and holding your mentee accountable for their growth.

We often talk about wanting stronger leaders, healthier workplaces, and better communities. But all of that starts with people being willing to invest in other people.

The truth is, many of us are where we are today because someone opened a door for us, gave us an opportunity, spoke our name in a room, or took time to pour into us.

So I’ll ask the question again:

Do you have time to mentor?

Because someone out there may be one conversation away from changing the trajectory of their life.