It's All About the Shoes

Did you ever look up to someone as a child and not realize the impact they would have on your life many years later?  Do you credit certain people for teaching you valuable life lessons but never got the chance to thank them personally?  If you are fortunate to be able to reach out to them today, do so.  Thank them.  Thank them for being a mentor.  

Over the past several years of my professional career, I’ve made it a point to phone my dad regularly, and, in not so “few words”, thank him.  There are no conversations with my dad that are brief.  We cover a wide variety of topics including family, friends, health, and our passion for the automotive aftermarket.   Through the years, our relationship has evolved and the many core principles this mentor has taught me have not been lost.  Maintain character, accountability, work hard, be socially aware, prepared, lead with a good attitude and clean your shoes.  Yes, clean your shoes.  Some things you can’t forget.

With the suitcase atop the bed and clothes laid out perfectly, I recall, at a young age, him packing enough to last a month.  Typically, his business trip was no more than 3-5 days.  “Be prepared.  Be over prepared.”   I learned this early.  Don’t let a spill on your shirt or a tear in your pants set you back.  If the weather calls for 70° (21 °C) and sun, be prepared for 40° (4°C) and rain.  Specifically, I recall those tasseled loafers lining the closet floor next to the wooden shoe shine box, a few red shine cloths covered in brown or black stain, and that large wooden buffing brush.  In preparation for that business meeting, a visit to the office or church on Sunday, the shoes got special attention.  The perfect double Windsor knot, an exceptionally ironed shirt or pressed pair of pants can be derailed by a worn pair of shoes.  The shoes can make or break an outfit and, according to my biggest mentor, make a lasting impression.  It’s all about the shoes.   

My dad is well grounded, which, if you know him, is probably a pun he would use when talking about his shoes.  His humor is part of his un-canny ability to strike up a conversation with anyone, and ultimately find commonality.  This was how the relationship usually began, commonality.  I’ve learned from this teacher and from other mentors that “people still buy from people”, and trust and respect go a long way.  In a challenging setting, a little self-deprecation to lighten the environment is something my greatest mentor became the master of.  

Counselors, teachers, coaches or mentors, come in to your life at different times, in many ways and for different reasons.  There’s no age requirement you must seek out in your mentor nor is it a prerequisite that they must serve in your industry.  The relationship you share with your mother, father, aunts, uncles, or grandparents may be special but might not be the mentorship you pursue.  Identify a quality in someone that inspires you to take on challenges.  Mentors help fine tune your character, confidence, and can help build on your passions.  

As you pause and think of who those individuals in your life today (insert mandatory 10 second pause now……) there is a responsibility for both to uphold the “mentor-student” relationship.  It’s not all “take and no give.”  As the beneficiary of great mentorship, others may seek you out to guide them.  Perhaps this may require some work on your part to develop that rapport.  Embrace the opportunity and accountability of being an awesome mentor to others.  When you are finished thanking your mentors for their encouragement, inspiration, and guidance, return these life lessons to others around you.  Impassion them to build on their character, improve accountability, and work hard.  Stress the benefits of being socially aware, prepared, and leading with a good attitude.  Instill the significance of being well-grounded….with a clean pair of shoes.  Because it’s all about the shoes, and the sole inside.

May 3, 2018