It takes a good mentor to produce a great leader. Studies show that successful people have an influential role model at some point in their life .For some people, it was a mother, father or grandparent. For others, it’s a mentor or group of mentors at work. Life is a challenging journey, and having someone who has experienced part of it before you can help tremendously.
As teachers, we are role models for our student-leaders. In effect, it is in the mentor’s efficiency and generosity in guiding student-leaders that the finest and greatest leaders of our nation arise.
Here are some of the traits of a good mentor our students can emulate which I learned in several seminars I attended.
• A good listener- rare is the kind of person who listens to you. Your dreams and aspirations. Your victories and failures. Find someone who is good at listening.
• An optimist- although nobody is always ever-smiling, find someone who will be positive and supportive of you.
• A person with empathy- sympathy is to show support for one’s situation or status. Empathy on the other hand, is to understand one’s situation or status to put it figuratively. It means wearing shoes the shoes of the other person. You have empathy when you understand the feelings a friend goes through when he or she loses a loved one, because you yourself experienced it, too.
Nelson Mandela, a political prisoner turned South African President once said, “A leader is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead where upon others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.
By: Mrs. Joan J. Quiroz | Lamao National High School
