[Flash] Mentors Have Made the Story of My Career

During lunch, Nurse Executive Susan Grant recognized the teams for contributing to the mentoring culture at Wellstar. She stressed its importance, pointing to evidence that connects mentoring to nurse satisfaction and patient safety.

Susan also reflected on the significant role mentoring has played in her career path, quoting:

“Helen Keller said, ‘My friends have made the story of my life.’ Well, my mentors have made the story of my career.” 

Susan then shared the stories of the pivotal mentors who guided, encouraged, and championed her career transitions from new nurse to nurse leader. Admittedly, some were intentional mentors, while others were unexpected and only appreciated in hindsight.

Susan’s mentor-enriched experience made me reflect on the mentors who have made the story of my career…

• Mr. Rogina, my high school business law teacher, who sparked my enthusiasm for law.
• My mom who announced that, yes, in fact, women can be lawyers.
• Glen Rossman who encouraged me to relocate to California to join his practice.
• Allison Leopold Tilley who showed me how to be a confident Silicon Valley lawyer.
• My clients Robert Siegel and Piyush Patel who helped me think like an entrepreneur.
• Jan King who guided me in publishing my first book.
• Pam Deahl who invited me to pitch my first mentoring program 20 years ago.
• Kathleen Ronald who practically pushed me onto my first keynote stage.
• Pat McFarland who partnered with me to bring mentoring to the Association of California Nurse Leaders.
• Janette Moreno who nudged me to attend my first Magnet conference.

And those are merely a few highlights! The list would be indescribably long if I mentioned every colleague or client who contributed to me through their mentoring.

Not only have my mentors made my career, but they’ve also made the journey less lonely and more fulfilling while bolstering my confidence and positivity.

(As this month’s energetic webinar guest Jenny Apostol described, “Mentors become our fan base!”)

This exercise is also inspiring me to acknowledge that my mentees have also made my career.

By mentoring others, I have noticeably improved my active listening, guided problem-solving, and altruistic championing…

…essential skills for being a great peer, leader, and human being! 

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