This month’s T-SQL Tuesday blog party is hosted by Deborah Melkin, and it’s a good one that asks us where we are making the world better. The topic is mentorship and sponsorship, which is great. We all ought to pay it forward or pay it back, depending on how lucky we are. I believe strongly in this and am glad to see the topic posted.
I still manage the T-SQL Tuesday list, and I’m always looking for hosts. I have a few scheduled for 2025, but I can use more. If you’re interested in hosting, hit me up at one of these places:
The Mentoring Experiment
Andy Warren and I ran The Mentoring Experiment a few times in the past before life got too hard and we decided to pause. I wrote about mentoring as well, and didn’t publish a lot on the experiment as most of the conversations were private.
I’m somewhat sorry we didn’t continue this, but it proved to be a little overwhelming at that time in our lives.
My Mentoring Experiences
I’ve had a few mentors in my life, and while some I’m not comfortable sharing, there are a few that stand out.
In high school, I had a mentor who was a Navy Pilot. He was a client of my Mom’s and she asked him to give me rides to and from karate, where he was also a student. On our rides, he shared some advice, some thoughts on life, while taking an interest in me. A few things stand out, one of which I still think about today: before I send an email, how would I feel if this were made public? This keeps me from writing too emotionally.
For the last 20+ years, Andy Warren and I have talked most weeks of the year. We miss a few when we’re on vacation, or I’m traveling, but he has been a great mentor to me, helping me think through life’s challenges. I hope I’ve done the same for him.
Giving Back
I think part of what I should do is try and make the world better. Part of that is my trying to get a variety of people to write at SQL Server Central or host here. I’ve reached out through my network to find women or minorities that would participate in our data community, and give them a voice. I’ve been less successful than I would have liked, but I have had a little success.
I’ve also convinced a few people to speak. I usually look for people at events that are engaged, ask interesting questions, or just have good conversations with me. I’ve found it takes months, but if I encourage them, I’ve gotten some of them to write or speak for free to share their knowledge and grow their own skills. There are a couple successes who many of you likely know their name and a few more that tried it and gave up.
I think the more you encourage people to engage in life, the more they (and you) get out of it.
I also try to do this as a coach, getting them to grow and learn more than just the sport. I think it’s worked out well as many kids keep in touch over the years.
I think many of you can do the same thing. Help others grow and find their own success, with encouragement, support, and a friendly ear.
