“…just as someone who can provide some sort of advice, say hello or see what’s going on. You want to stay in touch because they’re friends. You consider them to be your friends. You’ve been through this experience with them. You want to kind of continue to be some kind of mentor in some way over the years.” –Adam Levine, The Voice
The Voice coach made these remarks on Wednesday’s Today Show, speaking about staying in touch with some of the performers who were once on his team. Levine made the point that while he can’t possible help everyone, there are some people who he really takes an interest in and remains close to. He spent a lot of time with them. He shared an important experience with them. He mentored them. He helped them grow. He helped them succeed. And he still does.
Doesn’t this sound like mentoring leaders in any environment? It certainly rang true for me.
Committed Relationships Continue
Last week, I had morning coffee with someone who was a key member of my team about six years ago. We get together three to four times a year to catch up on work, family, and life in general. Although there might be several months in between, it always feels like no time has gone by at all. It’s an easy relationship, a nice friendship.
This week, I received a phone call from another former team member at the end of his first day at a new job. He was feeling pretty positive about his new employer and I welcomed the conversation. I was happy to hear him happy. I want him to succeed and I believe that he will.
I recently got in touch with someone I once worked for. He helped me grow significantly as both a leader and as a person. We often go long stretches without hearing from each other but when there is important news or, sometimes, an opportunity to share, there we are. In this case, his sister is very ill and I’m very concerned about her – and him.
None of the above events are ground-breaking. They don’t take a lot of time. They don’t take a lot of effort. But, they are evidence of a trusting and nurturing relationship. As Adam Levine noted, we shared an experience and, out of that, came a desire and commitment to help them succeed.
Even, in some cases, to be friends.
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Photo credit: 8120 by Panagyrics of Granovetter, with Creative Commons license.
