Connecting: The Mentoring Relationships You Need to Succeed in Life

None of us are fully equipped to excel in life. Our weaknesses, blind spots, limited capabilities, and lack of experience all point to one thing-interdependence. Which is why connecting with others plays such an indispensable role in healthy development. Having access to the wisdom, experience, vision, and direction of those who have gone before can put you years ahead of where you'd be on your own. And, in addition to enhancing you own potential in all of life's growth areas (spiritual, emotional, professional, relational, etc.), the things you'll discover will equip you to help others as well.

So why don't we place more of a priority on developing these essential, empowering relationships? Are we uneasy with the vulnerability, assuming it will be perceived as weakness? Do we hesitate to ask, not wanting to impose on anyone else's busy schedule? Are we reluctant to provide guidance for others, not wanting to come across as proud or self-important? Each of these factors can play a part, of course. But the main reason we miss out, according to Stanley and Clinton, is that we simply don't understand the true nature of mentoring-a problem that is easily overcome.