EnterpriseZone.cc Connecting Global Leaders
Doug Lawrence moved from job coaching to mentoring and found it so rewarding he doesn’t want to retire.
What’s your story?
I was job coaching university/college students and the relationship went from job coaching to mentoring. They would encounter something in the work place they did not know how to handle and would turn to me. That was the beginning of my calling as a mentor. From here I started my own company focused on all things mentoring and mentor certification. I have since explored mentoring as a part of the mental health support structure.
What excites you most about your industry?
I am an international certified mentor and work with people to help them grow on a personal and professional basis. The thing that excites me the most is the opportunity to help someone grow on a personal and professional (career development) basis. Now, with looking at mentoring as a part of the support structure for mental health it is even more exciting.
What drives you in business to push beyond what other people consider normal?
For me it is the satisfaction of being able to help others through the mentoring process. I have colleagues that are retiring and wondering when I am going to do so. The gratitude that I get from working with someone through mentoring is what fuels my fire and keeps me going. I am always looking for ways to help others and in turn help myself.
What have been the most useful skills you have learnt and applied in your journey?
I have learned a lot during my journey. I have learned the importance of trusted relationships. This has become more relevant and more obvious with the isolation that came with dealing with COVID. I have also learned the importance of effective communication and the many tools that come with communicating effectively. I use the Socratic Method to ask questions and guide people to the answers they are searching for. I help people to have those tough conversations. I listen and hear the trigger words in a conversation that guide us to where we go next.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
My father said to me one time, “You are going to work with a number of people over your career. Learn to take their strengths and make them yours and cast aside their weaknesses. By doing this you will be the best person that you can be” I was being transferred to Northern British Columbia and was in a hotel lobby letting him know where I was going. There was no telephone service so I was making use of a location that had telephone service.
Who inspires you?
Every person that I work with who wants to grow on a personal and professional basis inspires me. To go on that journey and the decision to do so is not an easy step to take. I am so very proud of all that do. They inspire me to keep doing what I am doing and to make that difference in their lives and ultimately mine.
What have you learnt recently that blew you away?
I have expanded my network the last while and I have found that mentoring is a topical issue that consumes a lot of the conversations that I have. People are embracing mentoring and see that it is different from coaching. They see the growth of the people I am working with and want to be a part of that journey. Seeing the growth of mentoring and its use with mental health has been an eye opener for me.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
I always reflect back on my career and my life. I had two relationships that didn’t go well and had financial repercussions that I would love to be able to do over. I did learn from this the importance of trusted relationships. If given a chance to do over I would be more selective and build a higher level of trust before going any further.
How do you unwind?
I am beginning to write my 3rd book and I find that to be very therapeutic. I like to go for a walk either outside or on my treadmill and I enjoy going for a coffee with colleagues. I am experiencing something new for me in that I am going on a personal retreat to do some writing and for part of the trip to do nothing but reflect. I may want to include that in my life events going forward.
What is a major mindset change, belief shift or ‘ah ha’ moment that you’ve experienced in relation to your business?
I believe that it was the realization that there is a place for mentoring as a part of the support structure for mental health. I have seen the impact that mentoring does have and I would not have realized that if it were not for my research and for some of the lived experiences that I have had in working with people.
Everyone in business should read this book:
“You Are Not Alone” which is available on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca. Every person that I have worked with or who has read the book has commented on the fact that this is something that everyone needs to read.
Shameless plug for your business:
If you are experiencing mental health issues, or want to grow on a personal and professional basis then you need to reach out to me for help. If your organization has not implemented mentoring then you need to have them reach out to me to implement mentoring. Mentoring can and will make a difference in your life but only if you reach out to me. Let’s begin your journey today.
How can people connect with you?
Via my website: www.talentc.ca and via email: doug.lawrence@talentc.ca
Social Media Links?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doug.lawrence.1610/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/douglawrence-mentor
Twitter: @DougLawrenceJM
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE4YC1GkfHrQtFYgYrf8baQ
This interview is part of the CallumConnects series.
