Weekly Thought – March 10, 2026
Fred’s book, You and Your Network, influenced generations of leaders. Editors often chided Fred for his “packed to the gills” writing style, urging him to dilute the material. He was told his books could easily be stretched into two. He preferred stretching people, and not content. This was appreciated by his readers.
A comment from California reflects this: “The main thing that really keeps our attention with You and Your Network is that it cuts out all of the fat, boilerplate, and extra information most authors are so compelled to put into their books just for the weight of it.”
Mentor Search
Over the years I identified seven qualities I look for in a mentor:
1) Do they have wisdom from experience? Scripture says young men are for strength and old men are for wisdom. A mentor must understand the principles of life which I believe, comes from scripture.
2) Do they feel noncompetitive toward younger people? You need a mentor who can relax and say, “This person is a race horse and I am now just the trainer. He’s going to go to the winner’s circle and get the money. I will be happy just making a contribution to that.” Mentoring brings vicarious accomplishment.
3) Can they spot talent? In my first meeting with someone I look for that “unscratchable itch.” Good mentors can assess your current skills and take a good guess at your potential. A good mentor wants to contribute to accomplishment.
4) Is there chemistry between us? One way I check chemistry is to stop and say, “Please repeat to me what I just said.” Sometimes you heard the darndest things. If a person isn’t listening well, there probably won’t be a profitable chemistry.
5) Will they take the responsibility seriously? Does it have meaning to them? Does the relationship count? Can they feel hope? Are they willing to invest the time?
6) Are they willing and able to confront? Confrontation is surgical. If you’re afraid of blood, you should not be in the operating room. And if you primarily want people to like you, you’re not good at confrontation. But a good mentor pauses before confrontation to ask, “Am I saying this in love willing the ultimate good for the other?”
7) Do they ask good questions? My mentor, Maxey Jarman, told me, “Management is supposed to have the answers, but the board is supposed to have the questions.” Likewise, a good mentor should be able to ask good questions. The job of a mentor is to open a window – the right window. And then, point to the best path.
Think about these things: 1) Who is mentoring me? 2) Who am I mentoring? 3) What message do I have to communicate?
Words of Wisdom: “Mentoring brings vicarious accomplishment.”
Wisdom from the Word: “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?” (Job 12:12 NET Bible)