What's your difference between working 'inspired' or out of 'dutiful habit'?

Get interested in life again.
Be a student again.
Be a teacher again.
How long has it been since you were fully 'in' to what you do?

As a person interested in metrics and their relationship to business, this was interesting! I read a study today that suggested that 21.6% of people who worked with a mentor increased their probability of getting a raise. That same study from a different angle suggested that 19.5% of those who mentored others increased their probability of getting a raise.

What do I do with metrics immediately? Having spent a little bit too much time in the metrics arena, I immediately looked for the supporting data, and trying to correlate what that survey was saying by how it was constructed.

Does that REALLY mean that people who mentor or mentee are 20% more likely to get a raise, or 40% more likely to fill out a survey that gives such data?

Regardless, acting on the assumption the survey was accurate, and my objective was not to ask why before understanding WHAT was intended... Clearly what works best for you is to understand enough about the way you work and the kind of support you need to be your personal best. With that altruism, alot can be gained, with the insight of another, deeper perspective can be gained. I believe firmly that when people work together, more can be accomplished, then if they worked alone. However one size does not fit all for personal development.

I don't mentor or mentee to earn more, I mentor and mentee to BE better. We teach best what we most need to learn. Mentoring, and honest to goodness friendships are essential to business success. People are at the heart of all of what I do, always have been, always will be!

I have read much about Sun Tzu for Success or how to use the 'Art of War' to master challenges and accomplish important life goals. The first time reading this was when my company was laying off people in mass- it felt like a war, and was absolutely the wrong time to be trying to 'save' oneself, and instead it was time to 'be' that leadership that was necessary through hard times and good.

It is way too easy to consider a good offense is building power circles of loyalty to hold you up in battle, but if battle is your reason for doing so, you have missed the point-- you have weakened yourself and your team by making them subscribe to the kill or be killed, when in fact, the required tool was not destruction, but relationships.

My first mentor taught me balance and that 'tough' did not have to mean 'abrasive'. He was genuine and clear on the big picture, and how each of his valued employees fit into making us successful. There are some that major in the art of 'politics' the art of 'war'-- this man was the most effective, because he rarely battled, and won the respect of his peers the old fashioned way.

A big part of success requires knowing when you are not at war. 'Controlling' success is not about never making mistakes, or knowing how to hide them, it is about recognizing where you are, what distractions exist, and navigation to the better place. It requires practice and capabilities to discern the good the possible, the opportunities, and distractions.

Criticism will always be there-- invited or not.
Possibilities will always be there-- recognized or not.

I am grateful for the brave mentors who would dare to state opinion regardless of popular truth. I admire those bold mentees who seek council on their performance and how to improve it, regardless of what fear lies underneath. Suddenly it is not each 'man for himself'. Having someone to walk with you on that journey will help you both to appreciate the path all the more.