The Art Of Mentoring

The Art of MentoringShare Monday, June 15, 2009 at 9:02pm | Edit Note | Delete 「诗云，『伐柯伐柯，其则不远。』执柯以伐柯，睨而视之。犹以为远。 故君子以人治人，改而止。」 "In the Book of Poetry, it is said, 'In hewing an ax-handle, in hewing an axhandle, the pattern is not far off.' We grasp one ax handle to hew the other; and yet, if we look askance from the one to the other, we may consider them as apart. Therefore, the superior man governs men, according to their nature, with what is proper to them, and as soon as they change what is wrong, he stops ~ basically meaning as mentors to others, we should respect the fact that people basically are individuals, with their unique characters, strenghts and weaknesses. Strive to help them make the most of their abilities, dispositions and talents. Refrain from forcing people to fit into moulds. Help them overcome their weaknesses and shortcomings. Then stop there. Never cross the line and end up overbearing. It isafterall their life. Their choice, how they want to live it.