Thanks to Covid-19, Spring cleaning is now an accomplished task. As I dug through an old crate of papers, I stumbled across a floppy disk with files dated between 2001- 2002. Ahh, if you were a student in the 1990’s and early 2000s, you likely relied on these small diskettes to store anything from class notes, status reports, performance appraisals to even resumes.
Now imagine the modern era: the USB, which has brought us higher storage capacity and greater portability. Besides, USBs are sleeker, in my view. Intentionally, I did not juxtapose the images of the floppy disk with the USB, the visual of the floppy has brought me some sentimental value. The floppy disk was revered in its time. However, the image of the apposition rested in my mind and impressed on my heart as I thought of mentorship.
You’ve guessed it. There is no real common thread between mentorship and a floppy disk nor a USB for that matter. Mentorship, to me, has always represented the partnership between a dedicated mentor whose mission is to help the mentee soar and roar. Mentorship is built on flexibility, durability; in many ways, a mentor’s rich experiences and advice are like the 1-2 terabytes found in our pocket-sized USBs. And that’s worth the exploration.
A few years back, I sought out to match myself with a mentor. Someone who would see my talents in plain sight, then push me to recognize my fullest potential. At the first meeting, my mentor asked two questions: “What is the organizations’ greatest need? How do you identify with that need.” I took the questions away. I did my homework; it took me a few weeks.
I found out the organization needed leaders with several key aptitudes in plain view and at full throttle:
- Run to the front-lines in crises and epic moments
- Optimistic about one’s personal and professional growth
- Accountable and impassioned about serving others
- Rear-view was a building block, never a stumbling block
Organizational leaders had a strong desire for new leaders who can ROAR. Scanning my progress since the steering of a mentor, I’ve acknowledged and advanced the aptitudes of roaring. My mentor brought this out in me and I am able to remain at the front-lines being a valuable contributor in times of need for the organization. Just in case anyone is wondering if such an assignment is limited, it never is! With the help of a mentor, leaders continue to redefine, reinvent, and remain relevant as the USB. Roaring becomes part of our leadership DNA. Glad I had a mentor to steer me. Going without a mentor seems like the floppy thing to do.
Richly to your success,
Dr. Simone Arnold.
About the Author
Simone Arnold is a vice president of Global Network Strategy at a Fortune 500 Company. She is also an alumna and contributor to the Center for Education and Information Technology Research and the Center for Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Research at the University of Phoenix. She researches emotional intelligence, workplace diversity, and statistical procedures and applications for continuous performance development. She holds a Doctor of Management degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix. Simone is the Founder and Chief Inspiration Officer at Motiv-Eight, LLC. Learn more at www.motiv-eight.com
