Chapter 15
Payback and Reinvestment
We Build Our Houses and Then They Build Us
Mentoring Others
Coaching, which I’ve covered earlier in methodology discussions, is a proactive process used with clients to create behavioral changes and improvement. I’ve noted that mentoring is far different.
Here, I’m referring to mentoring not as a revenue-producing endeavor, but as a contribution to the profession. You may choose to become involved situationally as people approach you, or systemically by providing the options publicly. You may do this as a separate aspect of your business, or you may engage in it despite also offering a formalized, high-fee service elsewhere.
No profession grows unless those who become highly adept and successful within its ranks decide to create and disseminate best practices for others.
Some professional and trade associations perform this function as an aspect of membership—a cosmetic surgery conference organizes a panel discussion among leading surgeons; an architectural group provides sessions as which various design award winners share their creative processes.
But in too many instances, professional associations seem determined to bring every member’s level of success down to that of its least successful member! They eschew excellence because “everyone should have a chance.” They don’t discriminate between value and contribution because they are envious of success they don’t enjoy and, paradoxically, don’t want to hear about how it was achieved. (The guys ...
