Sometimes you are so deep inside the jar, you can’t read the label.
Source: Austin Distil/Unsplash
We’ve all been there: the presentation that didn’t go as planned, or the conversation with your boss that didn’t go as you had imagined. You get back to your desk and the emails are pouring in. Everyone needs something from you. You are so frazzled that you can no longer tell the difference between small fires and true emergencies—background noise versus a sincere call for help.
When it rains it pours, and sometimes you can face a downpour of one negative thing after another. You are left in full-blown crisis mode and can’t tell the difference between an annoyance and a legitimate problem. You lose all perspective, and that is to be expected. During such times, you are so deep inside the jar, you cannot read the label.
When life throws you into a crisis—whether it’s a personal or professional—having a steady hand to guide you through the chaos can make all the difference. During such times, a mentor isn’t just a source of advice; they become your life raft, helping you navigate the uncertainty with wisdom, experience, and a level of understanding that can only come from someone who can see the 60 thousand-foot view, even if you can’t.
They can kick off a conversation with a simple sentence–”What’s keeping you up at night?” That six-word question will let you unload; letting someone else share the burden you were holding on to.
1. Perspective When You’re in the Eye of the Storm
During a crisis, your vision can become distorted. Your decision-making abilities are clouded by stress, anxiety, and fear, leading you to make choices that might not be in your best interest. A mentor provides much-needed clarity. They can help you see the bigger picture, reminding you that the crisis, while overwhelming at the moment, is temporary. Their ability to step back and see the bigger picture brings much-needed perspective and insight that you might miss when you’re too close to the problem.
Mentors often have a wealth of experience in handling similar crises. They’ve seen challenges before and have likely dealt with situations that seemed insurmountable at the time. They can offer strategies that worked for them, and more importantly, they can help you avoid pitfalls they may have encountered.
2. Emotional Support and Validation
If you’ve ever seen the viral YouTube video on emotional intelligence, It’s Not About the Nail, you know that sometimes people just want to be heard. One of the most valuable roles a mentor plays during a crisis is that of an emotional anchor, allowing you to be seen and heard in technicolor. All of your worries, fears, and concerns can be discussed by someone who holds no judgment. When you’re navigating rough waters, knowing that someone believes in you and your ability to overcome the situation is incredibly powerful. That emotional scaffolding can bolster your confidence, especially when self-doubt starts to creep in.
Validation from a mentor—someone you respect and admire—can help you regain your footing. They remind you of your strengths and past successes, reinforcing that you have the resilience and aptitude to get through this crisis. Sometimes, just hearing a trusted voice say, “I know you can do this,” is enough to reboot your self-confidence, and get you on your way.
3. Strategic Guidance and Problem-Solving
During a crisis, decisions need to be made quickly and often with limited information. A mentor can help you weigh your options and consider the potential outcomes of different courses of action, helping you differentiate between time-bound and non-time-urgent emergencies. They act as a sounding board, helping you think through scenarios and strategize your next steps. They can also introduce you to frameworks or tools, giving you additional resources to manage the crisis more effectively.
4. Networking and Resources
During times of pivotal consequence, having the right connections can make a significant difference. Mentors often have extensive networks that they can tap into on your behalf. Whether you need an introduction to someone who can offer specific expertise, access to resources, or even just a referral to another expert, a mentor’s network becomes an invaluable asset.
Additionally, mentors can guide you to resources you might not have known existed. Whether it’s recommending an article, or suggesting an expert who can provide additional assistance, their recommendations are often founded on experience and judgment.
5. Long-Term Perspective and Growth
One of the greatest gifts a mentor can offer during a crisis is making it a teachable moment by helping you see it as an opportunity for growth. While it may appear utterly impossible to see the bright side when you are in the midst of chaos, crises often lead to personal and professional development. For some, they lead to post-traumatic growth. By guiding you through the reflection process, a mentor ensures that the crisis becomes a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block.
Crises are inevitable, but facing them alone is not. With the right mentor by your side, you gain the tools to navigate the immediate challenges and the perspective and support to emerge stronger.
