Mentoring > Authority

Have you heard a football coach to 4th and 5th graders use inappropriate language?

Is cussing from a teacher in a classroom setting ever ok with middle school students?

Using one's authority does not equate to mentoring. In fact many perceive that authority equals mentoring, but in reality an authoritative position is nothing unless one leads by example.

I have heard and seen a few examples recently of someone equating authority to mentoring and using his or her position in inappropriate behavior.

(Image: Beast of Traal)

Mentoring simply is taking someone and guiding them on a path to achieve more than what he or she thinks is possible.

Are you mentoring?

Or do you equate an authoritative position with mentoring?

They are not the same.

A mentor is:

1. Humble
2. Caring
   
3. Selfless

A misused authority position is:

1. Arrogant
2. Prideful
3. Selfish

Focus on using your authority and leadership position to mentor because mentoring is greater than authority.