In this column, we are going to be sharing experiences from our mentors. Access to the lessons from our mentors and being able to put them into good use makes it possible for us to drink from the cup of our elders. Why do we need mentorship? Benjamin Johnson provides the answer: “Very few men are wise by their own counsel; or learned by their own teaching. For he that was only taught by himself, had a fool to his master”. The truth is that most people who will eventually be our mentor will not come looking for us to mentor us. We, the mentees, will have to make the first move. And most times it takes a little longer for the move made to mature. You know it takes time for a seed planted by a farmer to germinate. While he is waiting for the seed to germinate, he makes sure that weeds do not disturb it. He does all that is necessary to protect his investment. The same goes for our mentors. We must understand that they are very busy people and so must be patient. It could take time, but if you know what you want and remain committed, then you will succeed. I followed Dr. Mike Adenuga for years, wrote articles and a book about him, yet I never met with him until few years ago. The truth is that the meeting came when it was not expected. And when it did, all that waiting finally paid off. And more is to come.
Never you be in a hurry in life. Just do what you are supposed to do as a human being. Believe in sincere prayers to the Almighty. What must be must be.
Back to our meeting. The evening started with a cocktail. The kind of music everybody will like was playing at the background. There was catching up to do with a few who have not seen each other for sometime. Then, dinner was served. It was four-course. What else do you expect? And then the big man strolled in to the amazement of everyone already seated. Just like that. No fanfare, no announcement, no nothing. Casual. Cool. Wearing a big smile and giving the surprised (did I say surprised, shocked) guests hi-five. He took his seat. And we introduced ourselves. (Don’t expect your mentor to know all of you by name). Introduction over, time to eat and drink. While we were going for the best red wines and champagnes available (who wouldn’t), our mentor went for a bottle of mineral. I was blown off. Just mineral, for Big Mike? Hmmm, I stole a look at other faces across the table and nodded inside of me. While dinner was going on, Big Mike made everybody comfortable. He hardly says much. He will laugh at a joke made by anyone on the table, chips in once in a while and laughs more. If we were to be wearing masks, no one will believe that the man who has done Nigeria and Africa proud with the coming of Globacom, who recently was honoured with the second highest award (GCON) in the land, was at that table.
The evening went by. Big Mike sat all through. Calm and never for once looked at his watch. He gave us something very precious than the food and wine. He gave us his TIME! Delicate as it is (and will always be), he gave it to us, freely. We all eat and drank to our satisfaction. Time to go home. Big Mike shook the hands of everyone and thanked us for visiting.
As I was driving home, I kept asking myself, who should thank who? When a couple of years ago I decided to follow my mentor, one thing was on my mind: what and how to always give to him. Yes, Big Mike was rich, he doesn’t need my money or gift; in fact, he does not know whether someone like me is existing in this planet. To cut the long story short, I need him more than he needs me (that is if he in any way does).
Why do I need him? You can ask that again. The man has made a journey. And I want to share the experience of that journey with him. I want to learn from him. I want to know the mistakes he made before he got to where he is. I want to learn from the ideas and actions that made him thick. I just want to drink from him.
But the question still remains: how do I give to Big Mike? What will I give to him? Even if I have what to give to him, who will take me to him? Questions begging for answers. And then one day, my subconscious mind, the brain box of my body, the engine room of my person, sprung up with the answer. Buy from him. What? Buy what he is selling. Buy his products. I shouted eureka, eureka (I have found it, I have found it). So, what do I buy? Big Mike is into oil, banking, telecommunication, etc. So, what to buy is not in question. If I service my car on a regular basis with Conoil products, I’m buying from Big Mike. If I use a Glo line, that means I have bought from him. As I make calls and keep buying air time to recharge, I’m buying from him. In all these, I’m helping Big Mike to grow. And as he grows, I keep learning from him. Alas, I have found a way to give Big Mike. Yes, I can hit my chest and proudly declare that I give to my mentor. Yes, I can sit back and learn all I can from him because one way or the other I pay my dues. Don’t I? So, it is no surprise when God used nature and man to bring me one on one with Big Mike. And when we did, I still gave to him. Yes, I gave him a copy of the book, Models and Mentors – Success Stories and Powerful Lessons from 50 Inspirational Nigerian Achievers. When I gave him the book and pointed to his chapter, Big Mike laughed, shook hands with me again and again and made a comment. That I’m still keeping to my chest. As I was driving home, I kept thanking God for giving me the idea to buy from Big Mike. How many of us make the effort to give to our mentors? Most of us have one frame of mind when it comes to mentorship, which is what we will get and not what we can give? You can do better.
Shalom!
NB: First published February 2014