I have been blessed to have had some amazing mentors and role models in my life. Starting with my parents, aunts, uncles, siblings and friends, co-workers and now my children. They have helped to mould me into the person I am today!
I have also had the opportunity to work with (and for) many role models and mentors. Everyone I have ever worked with has influenced me in some way. Some of them influenced me by helping me see ways that I never wanted to show up. Not to say they were “bad” mentors, they just weren’t leaders that I wanted to BE. Some of the best role models I had don’t even know how much they influenced me; we may not have even been close but still I “saw”. These were people who never quit trying, who always put others ahead of themselves and those that truly wanted to see others and organizations succeed. What that taught me was that it is a gift to give, and helping others I feel fulfilled and how rewarding it is to achieve success together.
One of my weaknesses is, I am incredibly independent and don’t like to rely on anyone. A lesson I needed to learn was how to accept and to ask for help from others. I had to learn this the hard way. I was in an accident that left me in the hospital for a while and I couldn’t do much for myself. Learning to accept help from my friends and family taught me to be vulnerable and turned a negative experience into a valuable life lesson (and some great memories) that I have been able to take into my business. It taught me to seek out mentors and it has filled my life with purpose, joy and allows me to serve others better.
We all NEED mentors (and to mentor) to lift us up, teach us, help us to accept failure, help us to accept success and to make our lives richer! To all the mentors in my life, thank you for the gift you give me on a daily basis. To my Lead the Way Team, you are all Mentors to me and I am grateful to you all!