I trained 64 coworkers abroad over the weekend and, in the process, realized where I am much needed. Over time I have grown into the role of mentor. At first I was reluctant to embrace it, claiming I am more of a teacher and trainer, especially in preaching, than a mentor. Futhermore mentor is such a glorified word that it is better to lie low. Now I realized I am more of a mentor not because I embraced it but that others embrace me. It is now a relationhsip over the role.
As usual my entry point is grammatical studies, teaching students how to do structual diagramming in Chinese with the help of a parsing guide. The students learned in leaps and bounds. They did not want me to leave their app group that I joined temporarily but it is best to leave and not to usurp the influence of their school administrators in the same group. Another thing I am glad to do is to recommend fellow coworkers to the school. Coworkers need to go out for more exposure and experience. Most who do the same thing over and over again need the jolt from meeting others who are more needy. Like I often say, no church is big enough. The four walls are often impenetratable, stifling liberty and suffocating creativity.
