Mentorship

As a young student at Howard University in the early 60”s, not sure of what I wanted to study, I was intrigued by the description of a course: Introduction to Business. I signed up. Little did I realize then but that one decision changed the course of my life. Not only did it help me decide my major field of study but it connected me with a very important person who became my mentor - the professor who taught the course.

I define a mentor as “someone who has checked out the minefield and can point out the mines before you step on them”. Mentor relationships can be formal or informal depending on the needs of the persons involved. In my case it was informal –no hard, fast rules. A true mentor helps in guiding your development, but not for personal gain. You can choose a mentor or someone may choose you (with your approval, of course) because they see a need that you may not recognize. In my case, the professor chose me though I’m not sure what he saw missing in my development. My guess is that he saw me as a “fish out of water” an older freshman student (22 versus 18) trying to find my way in an environment which was totally new to me. He helped guide me in the selection of my courses, hired me as his student assistant and influenced me to pursue my graduate study at none other than the Harvard Business School. During the course of a career, a person may have multiple mentors at different stages as the career develops and changes. As you experience changes and growth in your career don’t be reluctant to seek out a mentor if no one seeks you out. Most people are honored to be asked for guidance. If you do have a mentor, be sure you pass it forward by becoming one yourself.

Down Memory Lane

Descending on the sprawling campus of the Harvard Business School with its majestic setting, to attend my fortieth class reunion, I reminisced of my first venture on that hallowed campus – somewhat frightened, not sure what to expect and at the same time anxious to start a new chapter in my life. It is now Oct 2009 and I return with great confidence as I enter the relatively new Spangler auditorium to hear a lecture, “Who Killed Healthcare and the Current Public Policy Options” by HBS Professor. Regina E. Herzlinger.

What a difference from 1968, when sitting in the classroom, I sometimes trembled with fear at the prospect of being called on by the professor to start discussion of the assigned case study. No possibility of that happening today.

I must say I made the decision to attend the reunion with some trepidation. From the registration list I knew only two of the seventeen women from my class year were attending and none of the African American graduates. But I calmly told myself “You’ve been in that situation many times over the years”. Our host hotel the old-line Charles Hotel in Harvard Square was the location for receptions, class dinners and the gala. Over the year classmates had mellowed and egos had diminished.

On the day of departure, I ventured out of the hotel, a few blocks down the street to visit my living quarters in 1967-1969 – Radcliffe Graduate Dormitory, 6 Ash Street, Cambridge, MA. The three-story, brick rectangular building, about one-half mile from the business school, was home to graduate female students from the various Harvard schools. Women were not admitted to the business school until 1963 and by 1967 dorms were still not coed. How well do I remember those cold, cold walks across the bridge to class dressed in my business attire. It was with mixed feeling that I stood outside that building on this overcast, drizzling day and thought of those days forty years ago – some pleasant and some not-so-pleasant memories. Bearing in mind that this was a central part of my two-year experience at Harvard, my husband took a photo of me standing on the steps of the front entrance. Emotions of excitement, sadness and calm overcame me as I slowly walked back to the hotel to leave for my return home. Forty years, it was hard to believe!

Class Reunion

I leave on Oct 1 for Boston where I will attend the 40th class reunion of my graduation from Harvard Business School. Those years seemed to have gone by so fast. I attended the 35th and it was lots of fun. I'm looking forward to this one being as good or better. Will also be able to attend the board meeting of the Harvard Business School African American Alumni Association and a reception it will sponsor for those who have returned for the various reunion years. I'll report back next week.

Trying Something Different

It is so hard to get out of one's comfort zone. At the suggestion and insistence of a friend, I had a "Gold Party". What's a gold party? Friends are invited to your home where a dealer pays cash for unwanted or unused gold. My friends came with single earrings, mangled bracelets and necklaces and other gold pieces they no longer wanted or found useful. I served wine and cheese. The women came and went at will and from 3-6 PM we laughed, talked, drank wine and compared notes on our discovered treasures. It was great fun. I must admit, however, I was very reluctant to host the party but am glad I did.

Health Care

Whatever your feeling about the President or the government involvement or lack thereof in the final health care plan, it's hard to understand why so many people are opposed to health care reform. As a senior, it saddens me to see so many older people who cannot receive the type of care they need. Just as unfortunate, there are so many people, of all ages, who cannot afford the care they need. The status quo would be a mistake.

Congressman Wilson's remarks were disrespectful but apparently represented his true feelings. He clearly stated that he apologized because the republican leadership told him he should do so. He never stated he apologized because he thought it was the right thing to do. There is a difference.

The Hope Bus Tour

I am excited to be a participant in The Hope Bus Tour http://www.thehopebus.org/ to be launched on Sept 21 with a ribbon cutting ceremony in New York at the Ronald McDonald House. The brainchild of visionary Helena Nyman , the tour is designed to raise public awareness of charities that are doing exceptional work in their communities. After New York, the tour will travel to Boston visiting 50 charities in 50 days along East Coast, ending in Tampa. FL. I will participate as a speaker in New York, Boston, Richmond and possibly some of the Florida events.

New York Trip

There is no place hotter than NY with temps in the upper 90's. Nevertheless I had a great weekend with my daughters and grands. Taking my 3-year-old granddaughter to the movies and to tap dance class was a real treat. My oldest daughter did her first performance of her new dance company, Roots In Revolution http://www.rootsandrevolution.com/ at a dance studio in Manhattan. It was a great experience for her and 4 other relatively new companies. She did not dance but choreographed a selection she developed that was performed by 3 of her dancers. After the performance, the audience, most of whom were with dance companies or involved with dancing, were able to ask question and give feed back to all the choreographers. Even I learned a lot about dance.