Sunday, May 08, 2005

gurus and mentors

This week has been a bit upheaving. This week one of my gurus asked me to speak with them at a conference. I’ve read the gurus books. I’ve listened to the guru speak. I’ve been profoundly challenged by their ideas. And now the guru wants me to share the mic. That’s quite destablising.

I’ve watched someone choose a mentor this week. They are an immensely talented person, and by a random set of co-incidences, they have chosen an immensely talented person. I can see them becoming a leader like the person they have named.

I wonder if I need to see guru’s and mentor’s in a new light. I’ve often seen them as people to aspire to. But I wonder rather, if guru’s and mentor’s call something out of us. Deep within ourselves our creativity resonnates with their creativity, our leadership with their leadership. The aspiration is not in fact us wanting to be like them, but our gift mix being called forth. I wonder if reflecting on the people who inspire us might actually help us name what God is doing in us as leaders.

Posted by steve at 04:44 PM

3 Comments

  1. I like that thought, that they “call something out of us.” Cas it’s easy to look up to someone like that, compare yourself to them and try to become like them when God has given you different, unique gifts. Something I constantly need to check within myself in my journey…

    Comment by amy — May 8, 2005 @ 11:22 pm

  2. I don’t hear “guru” used often. What would say is the difference between a guru and a mentor?

    Comment by Roger N Overton — May 10, 2005 @ 7:03 am

  3. Mentors you have a relationship with, and gurus you admire from afar (books etc)?

    Comment by lynne — May 10, 2005 @ 8:57 am

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