[Flash] Even the Vatican Uses Mentoring for Succession

For centuries, a small group of workers called “Sampietrini” has been preserving Saint Peter’s Basilica, the world’s oldest church located in Vatican City, Italy.

But today, there is a noticeable shortage of skilled stonemasons, restorers, and craftsmen. Why? The artisans are aging and retiring. Preparing for this inevitability was a bit neglected.

The Director of the Sampietrini stressed, “It’s urgent that young people learn to look after the Basilica because there’s no one left who knows how to do it.”

So, the Vatican turned to mentoring to tackle this problem.

In April, it launched the Artisan Academy, a program matching young apprentices with skilled workers from the Sampietrini who are guiding and teaching the new generation how to care for the ancient treasures and keep the Basilica standing and shining.

In a time of technology-seducing careers, the Director was admittedly worried that kids would be disinterested in learning the craft.

But when the inaugural class opened, 20 students from around the globe eagerly sought the unpaid internships. Why? The privilege.

As apprentice Javier’s Santiago Mandao from Germany said, “It’s wild to work in the same place as iconic artists like Michelangelo” and “It comes with great honor. I feel a responsibility.” 
[Click here to read “The Why Before the Who”] And what about the Sampietrinis? Why are they mentoring this new generation, sharing their secrets to maintaining the grandeur of the Basilica? The pride.

As Sampietrino Paulo Ballestra reflected, “They [the apprentices] are pulling off some beautiful work. And they give us that extra motivation. It’s so satisfying to see what they have achieved in just six months and for the world to see it when they walk through St. Peter’s.”
[To read why Jimmy Fallon ascribes to “Root for People,” click here] So what can we glean from the launch of the Artisan Academy?

• Succession is unavoidable and requires action
• It is never too early to be intentional and strategic
• Preparing for it is everyone’s responsibility, regardless of job or level
• Mentoring is a cost-effective, actionable solution

Although, the most important insights in this story are found not in the execution of the Academy but in the experiences revealed by participants:

• Privilege fuels mentees
• Pride fuels mentors

But it’s their shared passion that is paramount to building the bridge needed for knowledge transfer.

Use mentoring to build that bridge, and your team’s future will be in their hands.

© 2023. Ann Tardy and MentorLead. www.mentorlead.com. All Rights Reserved.