Models of Mentoring 5 : Mentor as Mirror

Really good mentors are people who hold up a mirror to us and say, look here, this is what you look like. This is how other people experience you. And this is really good. And this actually has a detrimental impact upon you and your influence and impact on others.

In the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42, we read that Jesus held up a mirror to Martha. Martha had invited Jesus to their home and her sister Mary happened to be there. And Mary just sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to him, whilst Martha was busy, busy being busy. And Jesus said to Martha that Mary has chosen the right thing - she has chosen to sit with me.

The Mentor as a Mirror, holds up proof to us, holds up honest feedback to us. It could be your spouse or your siblings or even your children. It's the people that you spend most time with and are closest to, who can actually give you the most poignant and powerful feedback.

In this talk we ask - Wh holds the mirror up to you? Who do you give permission to give you candid feedback? But also, who are the people that you hold up the mirror for? Who are the people that you love enough, and believe in enough to actually be honest with about the impact they have on other people? This is the Mentor, as a Mirror.