259. The Four Dangers of Mentoring with Kent Evans of Manhood Journey

In this episode of You Can Mentor, host Zach talks with Kent Evans, founder of Manhood Journey, about the role of mentorship in fatherhood. Kent shares how a mentor shaped his teenage years and emphasizes the power of asking questions over giving answers. They explore the dangers of mentoring, the importance of humility, and how mentors should guide mentees in building decision-making skills. The goal is to transition from mentor to friend, creating a space where both mentor and mentee learn from each other.

https://manhoodjourney.org/

--

Takeaways: 

• Mentorship can profoundly impact personal development.
• Finding mentors who embody the qualities you aspire to is crucial.
• Asking questions is more effective than providing answers in mentorship.
• The best mentors learn from their failures and experiences.
• Mentors should aim to help protégés solve higher-order problems.
• Life experiences shape our understanding of mentorship.
• Building relationships with protégés can lead to lifelong friendships.
• Effective mentorship involves guiding others to think for themselves.
• Biblical principles can provide a foundation for fatherhood and mentorship.
• Mentorship is a continuous learning process for both mentors and protégés. Mentors should focus on asking questions instead of providing answers.
• It's crucial to help mentees build their own decision-making frameworks.
• Avoid the mentality that your way is the only way to succeed.
• Recognize that every individual has unique experiences and insights to share.
• Ego can hinder effective mentoring; humility is key.
• Mentoring is about guiding, not dictating paths.
• Encourage mentees to consider the impact of their decisions on relationships and community.
• Learning can happen in both directions in a mentoring relationship.
• Every person you meet has something to teach you.
• Mentors should model the behavior they wish to see in their mentees.

--

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:11 The Importance of Mentorship

09:41 The Dangers of Mentoring

12:41 Being the Answer Man

19:56 Upgrading Problems in Mentorship

20:15 The Role of Questions in Mentoring

24:25 Building Decision-Making Frameworks

26:40 Avoiding the 'My Way' Mentality

34:49 The Importance of Trading Seats in Mentoring

--
It would mean the WORLD to us if you would leave a 5 star rating on our pod so we can reach more people! Scroll down to the bottom the You Can Mentor page on Apple Podcasts and click "Write Review". On Spotify, go to our page, click the three dots next to the admin wheel, and hit "Rate Show". Thank you!
Also, check out our National Christian Mentoring Gathering, which is April 16-18, 2025 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. 
Learn more about all we do at www.youcanmentor.com