How do you find a good mentor? | Dhwani Mehta | TEDxRWA Youth
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEjaQgjeGms Video ID: eEjaQgjeGms ============================================================ Transcriber: André Silva Reviewer: Arwa Mohamed Take a moment to think about all of the meaningful relationships in your life. You may have thought of a close friend, a family member, perhaps a romantic partner, yet amid these, lies a relationship that may have slipped your attention. Your mentor, a mentor is an experienced and trusted advisor, a guiding beacon who illuminates your path to success. And that is because finding a mentor is extremely challenging, but when you do, the possibilities are limitless, and your potential knows no bounds. Mentorship is an intangible, yet potent asset. It can be transformational. It is a powerful motivator that exceeds the realms of material possessions, one that yields immeasurable results. Imprinting a lasting impact on an individual's life. To illustrate this, let us venture into the animated world of Kung Fu Panda, where elderly tortoise master Oogway assumed the role of mentor to giant panda, Po. Picture this, Po grappling with his identity, yearning to match the skills of his advanced peers. It is in that moment that Master Oogway imparts a simple yet profound insight: Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. But today is a gift. That is why it is known as the present. And those wise words were his gifts to Po. That encompasses the idea of mentorship. It is words of affirmation, knowledge and encouragement. A couple of words that encouraged the mentee to take that leap of faith, make that life altering decision, and cross the finish line. With those wise words, Master Oogway was able to help Po cultivate a mindset of peace and confidence, this allowed him to persist and work diligently. Imagine the alternative without Master Oogway’s guidance, Po may have surrendered, retreating to working a simple and monotonous life at the noodle shop. In doing so, he would have forfeited his chance to be the Dragon master and most importantly, to fulfill his full potential. Mentorship bestows upon us invaluable wisdom, guidance and encouragement, propelling us forward in our personal and professional journeys. And that is exactly what Mike Markkula did as Steve Jobs's mentor. Under his guidance, Apple emerged as a Fortune 500 company in merely five years, making it one of history's fastest growing companies. Mike Markkula, one of Apple's first angel investors, possessed a vision for Apple that none could fathom at the time, had he not believed in the potential of the Apple two computer and in Jobs's capabilities, the world may have never witnessed the marvels of Apple's innovations. If you’re holding an iPhone or an iPad today, that is thanks to Markkula’s belief. But his mentorship extended beyond mere financial support, he emerged out of retirement to craft one of Apple’s first business plans and even hired the company's first CEO. Under his guidance, Apple soared from a young startup to the dazzling heights of an IPO, valuing the company at $1.8 billion in the 1980s. The power of mentorship is evident in Apple’s remarkable journey, and it would not have been possible without Markkula’s mentorship. This leads us to an essential question, how can we find our mentors? Well, the first step is identification. Look around for people in your community that ask you deep, thoughtful and incisive questions. They lead you to the correct path. They allow you to reflect on your decisions and view them from different perspectives. Great mentors often plant seeds of ideas that you can then nurture and grow and ensure to embrace the constructive criticism and feedback without hesitation. If your cup is already full, no new knowledge can be poured into it. Open yourself up to the wisdom and the knowledge that a mentor can provide. And through my personal journey of finding a mentor. I stumbled upon an important lesson, a mentor doesn’t have to be some wealthy and prominent figure with a long list of achievements. It can simply be a senior guiding you through the process of college applications, or a friend who encourages you to try something new and step outside your comfort zone. I stand today not as someone who has my mentor figured out, but a traveler on an exciting yet challenging journey to find one, but we don’t have to navigate it on our own, together, we can exchange experiences, help each other out, and be each other's mentors. Remember, the transformation is your responsibility. A mentor is merely there to shine light on the path you need to walk upon. Thank you.