I go in to a fair few coffee shops over the course of a year, either just to relax and think or to meet up with someone for a chat or a meeting.
I always ask for a black coffee, no sugar, or an Americano. Americano is a black coffee.
“Do you want milk with that?” I am asked every time. “No thank you”.
I pay and the order goes to another member of staff – “Do you want milk with that?” I am asked again. “No thank you”.
I am then told they will bring it over when it’s ready.
When they do, it arrives with a little pot of milk.
Now, you might say I’m getting grumpy as I head towards 50 but why wasn’t anybody listening to what I asked for or know that an Americano comes without milk?
Not listening. As I was always told as a kid – You have 2 ears and 1 mouth, so use them in that proportion!
And that, I suppose, is a big part of what mentoring is about. Listening. Added to by not judging and using experience to guide whoever needs some help – whether it’s a business related problem or a problem with a work colleague.
I mentor for both Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and for CIMA (my professional institute) drawing on 30 years’ experience in industry to do this.
Oh and I listen, of course.
If you’d like to find out more about mentoring or want to talk to me about how I can help you, please contact me in any of the ways below;
e-mail: nic@taofinancial.com
mobile: 07985 645087
twitter: @taofinancial
