The Golden Rule Of Mentoring

The Golden Rule of Mentoring

Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12

We often think about this verse in terms of being nice to others because we want them to treat us nicely, but I wonder sometimes if there aren’t other qualities we should consider as well. Do I think this way when I deal with people in other settings?

How about mentoring others? Throughout my coaching career, I had guys on the team making multimillion-dollar salaries. Anyone with the slightest interest in sports knows that professional players’ salaries have skyrocketed in the past few years. So what do you think the response would be if players were asked to teach and “coach” other players in their particular positions for the overall good of the team?

Believe it or not, that’s what happens on good teams. Veteran players help the younger players improve because it will help the team grow stronger. Defensive backs could show new defensive backs the techniques that took them years to learn. The end result? Sometimes the new guy eventually beats the veteran out of a position and the lucrative salary that comes with it.

How about honesty? How about helping someone see where they need to improve by being candid and forthright about it—rather than sugarcoating it or, worse, not pointing it out at all? Sometimes hearing no is painful, but we can pick ourselves up and move on much easier than if it were maybe. Sometimes getting a poor job review can give us the opportunity to work with what we have and learn. If we believe everyone was created by God with specific gifts and abilities—like no one else—then we have to believe they are equipped to do incredible things in some setting, some place. Maybe right now they are just in the wrong place.

What about helping someone grow in his or her faith? If we didn’t know about Jesus Christ or had not asked Him to be our Lord and Savior, and someone we know did know Him, wouldn’t we want that person to tell us about Him?

Uncommon Key > Do unto others as you would have them do unto you—there are many opportunities if you look for them. Start thinking about—and acting upon—them today.