Page 48 - enLIGHTenment Magazine - August 2017

ALA CONFERENCE

W

hether in our personal or professional
lives, each of us has experienced a

mentor. It may have been in the form
of a teacher or supervisor, or it could

have been a close family member or
friend. We all have bene ted from an outside in-

uence or the guidance from someone other than

ourselves as we sought help in solving simple to
complex problems.

Personally, it happened to me in my early years
in the lighting industry. Let’s say you’re hired as a

rep for an agency or manufacturer, or as a show-

room salesperson with no prior experience in
lighting whatsoever. What do you do? I thought

there would be training provided or, at least, an
introductory period where I could transition from

my previous job to this one. I wondered who I could

I turn to for guidance. I knew my new colleagues
would help me situationally, but what about long

term? If you are facing or have faced this dilemma
you can relate.

The description above happens more o en than

you would think, and the solution depends upon
how you perceive the bene t of having a mentor or

DO YOU NEED
coach as either a short-term or long-term relation-
ship. What’s the di erence with each? The answers

below will assist you in choosing the right one for

you. Typically you might need a mentor when:
You feel confused and alone.
A COACH OR

 You nd it di cult to set goals and achieve them.
You feel stuck and need some help opening

doors.

MENTOR?
 Your network isn’t bene ting you.

Mentors know what it takes to succeed on many
levels. They can help you set goals and guide you

through your career or life events. They become

your “go to” person and con dante for anything and
These two terms are more than everything related to questions or concerns about

life or work.
just modern buzzwords; they each On the other hand, a Coach will guide you – not

tell you – how to achieve your life and professional
mean something very speci c.
path and goals or help you steer through whatever
situation you are currently experiencing. You typi-
ALA Pillar of Industry Eric Borden
cally may want to seek a coach when:
You feel overwhelmed.
will discuss these options with the 
 You feel discouraged.

Young Executives group during  Your life feels like it’s out of control.
You sacri ce “you” over other people or things.

Conference.  You have a feeling of personal mediocrity.
BY ERIC BORDEN
You have an overall feeling of dissatisfaction.


46 enLIGHTenment Magazine | august 2017
www.enlightenmentmag.com