Mentors, The Generational Impact

I had many mentors before I met Ron. They all had an influence on me in different ways. Most of it was as a kid, in sports, outdoors, in school, or as an aspiring young chef. When I went into business for myself I did not have any mentors. I just did what I thought I should do through trial and error. In fact many of us have similar stories. “I was not sure what to do and then all of a sudden I met _______ and with her advice everything changed!” Sound familiar?

I want to tell you about Ron LeBlanc my first real business mentor. I recently had lunch with him after not having seen him for years, yet his influence is experienced daily in my life by me, and through me toward others. It was early 1990 and I was trying to find a way to grow business in our janitorial company geared to the professional office market. I saw an article on Ron and his company talking about his move into a burned building near Bush Park and restoring it to its historical status. On a whim, I cut out the article and mailed it to him along with a business card and a cheesy letter about Clean Sweep, our company. I never gave it another thought until a week later I get the article mailed back to me with a handwritten note on the article that said “I appreciate clever marketing, call me for an appointment, and let’s talk.” Clever? Ok, I called and made an appointment. What has come from that is a relationship from which I learned how to be in business, deal with people, how to dress, where to market, how to network, community service, how to handle a business lunch, he introduced me to people, and on and on.

To this day I am not sure why Ron chose to stick with me. He was very busy, a family man, community leader, and avid traveler. He told me how someone had helped him, and it would be up to me to do the same for others and pass it along. At the time I did not know what I did not know. I did not give it any more thought to how that may work into my future. Watching Ron over the years gave me something to shoot for. I wanted to be well dressed like him, make people feel special the way he does, be fierce in defending my code of ethics and those of others, overcome adversity, and achieve set goals and adapt to change and I wanted to help others.

I am proud to say I am very much like him today. I am not him, but I am me with his influence. We should all be ourselves with others influence affecting us for the better, and we are always affecting others with our influence. It is important to remember this point. How you interact with your fellow humans is one of your legacies. These traits can get passed down from generation to generation. What do you want your legacy to be? Treat everyone with fairness and respect and your legacy will be positive and strong moving into generations beyond your years. You may never know the reach of your influence. Be kind to your co-workers, your family, the waiter, the gas station attendant and cashier. Sometimes the smallest overture can have the largest impact on some one’s life.

Recently, while driving home from mentoring a class of potential business owners, I got the following email from Ron who had just gotten word I started my Business Coaching practice. I had not seen him in three or four years.

“Hey Good Buddy,

Nineteen years ago, only two people in the world knew that you would make a great business coach. You and me. I saw your new member notice in the Chamber Business News. Get back to me and let’s get caught up. Lots of water under the bridge."

Best,
Ron

This message took me back to being in my early twenties and feeling proud when he was proud. I am blessed to have Ron as a mentor in my life and I am grateful to be a part of his legacy. It is my hope to pass it along to many others.

Do you have a mentor or mentee story? I would like to hear about it and the impact it has had on your personal, and/or your professional life. Email me at scott@scottsadlercoach.com or share it here as part of the conversation.