For On The Floor: Sources of Mentor Wisdom

Career guidance comes in many ways. It can start with parents, then is typically refined on the job as careers develop and professional relationships grow. The mentoring process has long been associated with guidance in the workplace, especially in the industrial trades. It still is, according to our Efficient Plant Reader Panelists. Most panelists say they are fortunate enough to have been associated with an experienced colleague who was glad to (or tasked to) share that in-depth knowledge and experience. Guidance can also derive from memorable words spoken or written by a leader or thinker. Following is a look at who and what has helped take our panelists to this point in their careers.

Q: Have you ever had someone in your career you considered a mentor?

“There were two: One was my father who taught me at an early age that if you can look in the mirror at the end of the day and not be ashamed of what you see, you did well. The other was my drill sergeant who taught me not to sweat the small stuff—and at the end of the day, most everything was small stuff.”

… Maintenance Coordinator, Mid-Atlantic

“Yes—a person who was hired about a year before me. We have similar backgrounds, though he has more experience. He has been a resource when I’m dealing with technical problems, and has also supported my career development.”

… Maintenance Engineer, West

“My best mentor was an executive vice president when I was a development engineer. His guidance helped me be very successful, especially in handling politics. He taught me about corporate troubleshooting and dealing with difficult decisions.”

… Former Chief Maintenance Engineer, now Trainer, West

“My mentor was my father. When I started out in my trade, he was the journeyman I worked under. He had over 30 years at the company then, and I think he was harder on me than the other apprentices.”

… Maintenance Engineer, Midwest

“I’ve had several: When I was an apprentice, and at least four in the military. Later in my career, another mentor taught me that if you want to move up, build a very competent successor. This way, no one will try to hold you back because you’ll be missed.”

… Consultant/Trainer, Canada

“My mentor was my supervisor when I was starting out. Over the years I have worked for him at different places. He not only helped with my development when I reported to him, I used to bounce ideas and issues off him for guidance when we were no longer working together.”

… Maintenance Supervisor, Midwest

Q: What role, if any, has your company played in encouraging mentorship? How valuable do you believe mentorship is or could be?

“I believe mentoring is good, but I have never worked anywhere where there was an established program for it. You had to find someone you clicked with and wanted to learn from.”

… Maintenance Supervisor, Midwest

“Two contract employers provided one common piece of counsel: Identify the smartest mechanic/technician/engineer in the client company and learn everything they know before your tenure is expired.”

… Consultant/Trainer, Canada

“I believe that having mentors is essential to all our lives. I have had many, and have also tried to be a mentor to a good number of people. It is likely the most efficient way to grow technology and every professional activity.”

… Consultant, Midwest

“The company I work for has an excellent mentor program in place. The mentor works with one person a year on goals and planning, and is available to support the person all the time, as needed. Coffee chats are great, and held once or twice a week.”

… Former Chief Maintenance Engineer, now Trainer, West

“Mentoring is very valuable if it happens organically, but I think there would be problems if mentors were assigned. Both parties have to be involved for the same reasons, and they have to be socially compatible with each other.”

… Maintenance Engineer West

“I have been with my current company for almost 34 years and, while there is a lot of talk about mentoring, I have never seen it put into action.”

… Maintenance Coordinator, Mid-Atlantic

Q: Is there a business or motivational speaker/writer whose work has influenced your career or work ethic?

“James Reason, who I believe is a world leader in the field of human performance. And there will always be George Washington for his honesty, dedication, and humility.”

… Maintenance Coordinator, Mid-Atlantic

‘Winston Ledet’s book,
Don’t Just Fix It, Improve It! really shows how listening to the people closest to the problems can help you solve those problems.’

“I learned a lot from Winston Ledet’s book, Don’t Just Fix It, Improve It! It really shows how listening to the people closest to the problems can help you solve those problems and gain valuable support from the people you work with.”

… Maintenance Engineer West

“The best motivational person I’ve encountered is Earl Nightingale. His guidance gave me the directions to set up excellent, attainable goals.”

… Former Chief Maintenance Engineer, now Trainer, West

“Tom Peters, who wrote In Search of Excellence. His lessons of how successful companies are managed became the standard that I have used and taught. Also, Kepner & Tregoe, who wrote The New Rational Manager. They took the model used by submariners and aircraft-carrier crews to the industrial arena. And Edward deBono, the author of Lateral Thinking, Six Thinking Hats, and others. His clarity of mind, knowing how to think, and make group decisions enabled me to direct the company manager and engineer groups to analyze many views and settle on one set of ideas for an application.”

… Consultant, Trainer, Canada

“I’ve always admired Steve Jobs and how he led his company to change the world.”

… Production Support Manager, Midwest

“Miguel Angel Cornejo is one of the greatest motivators. I also have followed great ideas from Stephen Covey, Wayne Dyer, and José Silva.”

… Consultant, Midwest

Q: Is there a single philosophy or quotation you have encountered from any source that has influenced your career or work ethic?

“Jack Welch has said, ‘Improve before you have to,’ which has meant a lot to me. And something I composed from my own experience is, ‘Each morning is a brand new opportunity to start behaving and performing like you have always
wanted to.”

… Consultant, Midwest

“If you work for someone, give him or her the best you have. That is the contract you agreed to.”

… Maintenance Coordinator, Mid-Atlantic

“Honesty can hurt you and dishonesty will hurt you, but honesty hurts less.”

… Consultant, South

“As an engineering intern, I heard two things over and over: ‘Don’t be afraid to get dirty,’ and ‘Listen to the guys doing the work—the mechanics, electricians and welders—who you support.’ I’ve always tried to keep those tips in mind throughout my career, and I feel it has paid off. Too many engineers avoid or ignore those two bits of advice.”

… Maintenance Engineer West

“What the mind can conceive and believe, it will achieve!”

… Former Chief Maintenance Engineer, now Trainer, West

“From Thomas Edison: ‘The three great essentials to achieving anything worthwhile are first, hard work; second, stick-to-it-iveness; and third, common sense.’”

… Maintenance Engineer, Midwest

“Advice from the master journeyman who taught me how to machine steel: ‘Be proud to do it right the first time.’”

… Consultant, Trainer, Canada

“I use this quote from Genghis Khan when I am mentoring new leaders: ‘An army of donkeys led by a lion is better than an army of lions led by a donkey.’ It puts it into perspective that leadership is the key.”

       … Maintenance Supervisor, Midwest

“A quote that has made me not sit around and wait for things is, ‘Make it happen.’

If you want the change you are looking for, get out and go for it.”

… Production Support Manager, Midwest 

About the EP Reader Panel

The Efficient Plant Reader Panel includes approximately 100 working industrial-maintenance practitioners and consultants who have volunteered to answer bi-monthly questions prepared by our editorial staff. Panelist identities are not revealed, and responses are not necessarily projectable. Have your comments and observations included in this column by joining the EP Reader Panel. To be considered, email your name and contact information to rcarter@efficientplantmag.com with “Reader Panel” in the subject line. All panelists are automatically included in an annual cash-prize drawing after one year of active participation.