The Protegé Strategy

In 1699, a French writer Francois Fénelon wrote a didactic novel he titled 'Les Aventures de Telemaque'. In this novel he portrayed a character, 'Telemachus' who had the rare privilege of obtaining wisdom and insight from his tutor, who was called 'Mentor'.

Fénelon's writing was a rather contemporary piece of the legendary story 'Odyssey' by Homer. The story has it that, the king Odysseus before embarking on a journey for the protracted Trojan war, put his son 'Telemachus' under the care, supervision, tutelage and guidance of his friend 'Mentor'.

As the story unfolded Athena, the goddess of wisdom used to disguise herself as 'Mentor' each time she visited Telemachus in her quest to have a discussion with him or advice him on one issue or the other.

As a result of Mentor's relationship with Telemachus and the disguised Athena's encouragement, insight, direction and strategic plans in dealing with thought provoking dilemmas, the name Mentor (which is the personal name of Telemachus' tutor) has been adopted over the years as a term and name to portray a person with invaluable insights, wisdom and experience and shares this knowledge with a rather less experienced person.

The famous animation 'The Adventures of Pinnochio' probably attempted to portray the invaluable insights a person can derive from a Mentor. The role of the fairy with turquoise hair, in helping the rather wilful marionette, Pinocchio, advising him and later enabling him to assume his desired human form underscores the significant role a mentor can play.

The below highlights key benefits you can derive from having a mentor.

1. Invaluable Knowledge
2. Business Dexterity
3. Improved Performance
4. Shortening of one's learning curve.
5. Avoiding painstaking errors
6. Strategic development of one's talents.
Samuel Agyeman-Prempeh
Inspirational Preacher, Author, Corporate MC and Events Executive

Chief Executive Officer; INVENTS.
Executive Tailor; Wear Purple
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