The best of mentoring happens 'naturally' when an eager-to-learn business person 'connects' with a more-experienced business person who is eager to teach. For both people, mentoring is of value. This type of 'natural' mentoring tends to happen in cycles: over time, the student of the present becomes the teacher of the future.

One of my favourite examples of 'natural' mentoring is the story of 25-year-old Napoleon Hill meeting steel-baron Andrew Carnegie in 1908. At the time, Andrew Carnegie was well into his 70's and he was one of the richest men in the world. Yet, for some reason, when Napoleon Hill visited to interview him about business success, Carnegie took Hill home and spent 3 days with him. That was the starting point for Hill's labour of love...and the creation of his classic self-development books, including my favourite 'Think and Grow Rich'. This story does not end with the creation of books like 'Think and Grow Rich' in 1937. That's just the beginning. For example, one of the greatest leaders of the 20th Century - Mahatma Gandhi - read Hill's book. The book was translated and widely circulated throughout India; I suppose supporting the good work of Gandhi.

Some business and education organizations promote mentoring. I am honoured to be able to participate in Conestoga College's mentoring program. Mentoring at the student level is a tremendous idea!

I am keeping my eyes and ears open for mentoring ideas, advice, and suggestions. If you have any then please share them.

Here is a sample of the things I have learned about mentoring. This is the advice of Eric Chester, the author of a recently-published book titled 'Reviving Work Ethic':

5 Tips on Mentoring

1. Find your style
2. Develop trust
3. Value tact and timing
4. Tell stories
5. Cast a vision

Good, simple advice!