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Mentorship Lives on "In Spirit" [Guest Post]

by Keith Poirier on 11-21-11

Guest Post: Keith Poirier has over 17 years industry experience with a focus on lean/business process improvement.  He currently manages an EHS Team for a global design and manufacturing company, and also instructs an Operations Management MBA course.

 

 

Recently I lost a mentor.  To this day, everyday, I use what he taught me.

I found out a few weeks ago that one of my former managers lost his battle with cancer.  A former co-worker emailed me the sad news.  I had not spoken to or heard from this manager in 11 years, yet the news of his passing hit me hard.  Why?  He was my first, and still my best ever MENTOR.

He taught me a lot about continuous improvement, business in general, and stick-to-it-tiveness in my younger working years.  He showed me how to face challenges, how to turn problems into opportunities, and how to communicate effectively.  He gave me opportunities to learn, prosper and grow.  He role modeled operational excellence, and how to be a hard-driving yet compassionate manager (and human being).

The day I heard the news, which was a few days after his passing, I felt compelled to call his wife and daughter, whom I do not know, to tell them how much he meant (and means) to me, how he has helped my career tremendously, and how great a man he was.

You see, he still means this much to me, after all this time, because mentorship lives on forever, even in spirit.  What kind of legacy do you want to leave as a mentor?

Comments

  • Thanksgiving Day is a good time to remember those who helped us along the way. Jamie, that includes you — for giving me the opportunity to learn some deep lessons about continuous improvement at the LLC.

    Karen Wilhelm November 21, 2011 at 12:30 pm
  • Thanksgiving Day is a good time to remember those who helped us along the way. Jamie, that includes you — for giving me the opportunity to learn some deep lessons about continuous improvement at the LLC.

    Karen Wilhelm November 21, 2011 at 12:30 pm
  • Thanksgiving Day is a good time to remember those who helped us along the way. Jamie, that includes you — for giving me the opportunity to learn some deep lessons about continuous improvement at the LLC.

    Karen Wilhelm November 21, 2011 at 12:30 pm