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I love the library – it’s a gateway to wisdom. But the beauty of the library is also its challenge.
Informal and self-directed mentoring programs are like belonging to the library. Access to wisdom but no sense of urgency – the Library Effect. The Library Effect threatens every learning opportunity we are offered. Sally called me recently, frustrated by her sluggish mentoring program. When she launched her program, Sally granted her participants autonomy to create their individual mentoring journeys. Essentially, they can engage in mentoring whenever and however it works best for them. But now, despite the enormous interest in mentoring and a solid pool of mentors and mentees, very few people are connecting. I said, “So I can join at any time? And connect with anyone?” Sally proudly responded, “Yes!” I said, “So it’s like going to the library. I can go whenever I want and learn anything, correct?” She paused. I continued, “Look. I love the library. I drive by it every day. But I don’t go. I don’t have any compelling reason to walk through the door. My library has nothing prompting me to show up, no sense of urgency. And no one cares whether I go or not.” Sally was connecting the dots. I said, “Now imagine an event scheduled at the library that I want to or agreed to attend. I would head to the library because I wouldn’t want to miss it. For instance, if my book club met weekly at the library, I would drive to the library each week on the date and time of the meeting. A clear structure and accountability would bolster my learning intentions.” As program leaders, we can plan around the Library Effect. We can architect a framework that deliberately supports and drives participants’ desire to grow. We all aspire to greatness, but as Colonel Tom Kolditz, head of the behavioral sciences division at Westpoint, observed, “No plan survives contact with the enemy.” And on the professional battlefield, the enemy consists of distractions and derailments, such as unexpected calls and requests, unpredictable meetings and technology. Whether you are the program leader or a participant, adding structure and accountability to a learning opportunity like mentoring will help prioritize it in the face of the enemy. When your intention meets structure and accountability, grab your library card! © 2022. Ann Tardy and MentorLead. www.mentorlead.com. All Rights Reserved. |