Philosophy of Mentorship
I am a volunteer mentor to newly discharged veterans who are a entering the workforce or academic life (civilian life). Additionally, I have my own arsenal of mentors. Some are colleagues, fitness enthusiast, business, education, and life. I believe every person is unique in their own way. In life we have needs and wants. We seek security, love, and a positive environment to grow physically, emotionally, intellectually, mentally, and socially. If your fortunate, you may find one mentor who will help you grow in all aspects, but I recommend having more than one.
We all choose our mentors based on our own outlook and vision. I believe a great mentor is someone who supports risk taking and who can help spark your creativity. A mentor should not give you the answers but help you discover them on your own. They should also be the primary source to search for knowledge and self discovery. Mentors should first ask, “What is your passion? A mentor should assist others to set goals, realistic ones, and help them develop emotional intelligence.
As a mentor, a part of their mission should develop love and respect for themselves! That is where it all begins! From there you learn to love others and the environment around you. I provide mentorship because it is an opportunity for me to grow and self discover. I embrace the love of education, positive thinking, and creating new opportunities. Along their journey, I share my passions, dreams, aspirations, and projects to let them know I am also a student just like you. I extend my hand to guide them and they extend their hand back to me.
Ryan Enriquez
Politically What?
I had a great meeting with my executive coaches and my insights evaluator stated I need to stand a political ground. The statement confused me because I don’t ever plan to run for politics but after our discussion, it all made sense. Whether I pursue the private or public sector, I must understand and determine the different political barriers within an organization. Most of all, I must be aware that each manager or executive have their own political stand. In conjunction with what I learned in my Executive MBA Class (Achieving Breakthrough Results) I came to determine the differences in Political Leadership styles.
Political Opportunist
Someone who is a political opportunist will look to win and advance at all cost, even if it means having their subordinates pay the consequences for their actions. These are the type of managers that work the crowd and can be very manipulative towards the people around them. They would often chose tasks that would give them high visibility and an opportunity to shine. You might often see this person enroll or be involved in nonprofit or charity events to make himself look good. He disguises his vision and values to what the company wants but motivated by his own agenda.
These leaders are usually the ones hanging at the executive offices paying no mind to their employees. This maybe his strategy to help himself move up in the company but not paying mind to his employees is risking high turnover rates and employee complaints to H.R. Additionally, he may take charge and micromanage like Drill Instructor, punishing but never rewarding, taking credit but never giving credit to those who deserve it.
Politically Correct
These are the people who usually avoid any confrontations. Often conservative by nature, Politically Correct (PC) are very careful at using their words when it comes to different preferences. It was designed to be inclusive and not to offend individuals based on social or cultural reasons. Therefore, Politically Correct leaders usually try to blend and busy worrying about confrontations that doesn’t exist. They never have their own perspective and have a difficult time speaking their minds. You might find this person in the meeting who will agree with everyone, despite the opposing views. Being PC can hurt themselves they are closed to making company’s decisions and taking minimal risk.
Politically Astute
My executive coach describe being Politically Astute is the direction I should go in based on my personality. Instead of being a leader for personal gain, I driven by purpose and do what is best for everyone and the company. A leader with political astute seeks to find ways to help others shine with him/her. They delegate authority and projects by encouraging them the importance and what they will get out of it while being tasked. Instead of being manipulative, Politically Astute leaders are motivators and inspirational. They have a balance of power and influence to make strategic decisions and get the mission accomplished.
Running Series
I was never a runner.. in fact, just like David Goggins I HATE running. I was football player in high school (offensive lineman) and a bodybuilder for three years.
My best 3 mile run was in the Marines at 19:20. My best marathon was 3:41. Decent, but not a pro. I enjoy running now because it sparks many of my innovative ideas and thoughts.
I was a NASM personal trainer while I was in college. Much of my specialties was bodybuilding and strength and conditioning. I was introduced to endurance sports from one of my clients who was a marathon runner and long distance biker. I gave running a shot and never turned back. Since then, I’ve been researching and training with various trainers and athletes on how to improve my running. I’ve complied my notes and put this post together. Keep in mind, I will always be a student not the expert but looking to improve myself to the next level.
Since I work full time and enrolled in the Executive MBA.. I have to make time to run
Sundays- Long Run 8+ miles or run for 1:30 minutes plus
Mondays- Short Speed Run– 1.5 miles to 2.5 miles
Tuesday – Medium- (usually done on the treadmill) 4-5 miles
Wednesday – Speed Intervals
Thursday- Optional
Friday- Speed Run
Saturday – Classes — rest
I combine my running with my lifting routine.. I switch up my workouts every 4-6 weeks. Before I switch my workouts, I take a week off from weights and let my body rest. One thing I have to mention is LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.. I may write down my workout plan on paper.. but if my body needs REST.. I make sure I rest.. Overtraining can lead to injury. Along with rest, I make sure I stretch often and foam roll.
I will post my running progress and my fitness regimes in the future..
Leadership With Two Minds
There are many qualities leaders must possess. Before I write, I wanted to inform you there is no true leadership style. I think the most effective leader is someone who is adaptable and overcoming to different situations. My first semester in Business School has taught me that. We are studying different leadership styles and to become a “strategist” we must recognize the other styles and be able to work and collaborate with them. In my other class (Strategic Analysis) we are studying the internal and external forces to make strategic commands in business.
Leaders should possess dual consciousness — which is being a practitioner and academic observer. I read an article by David Brooks — Leading with Two Minds, in summary it is to turn large organizations around. The United States Army has turned it’s organization in a blink of an eye. Besides the Army an institution of killing bad guys, it has also become an academic institution. With the battlefield rapidly changing, Fort Still had to shut down it’s Artillery course because the troops in Iraq knew much more the instructors on base. The new course now teaches negotiations with “sheiks” and band of bloggers are now sharing information from warfront back home to those who are about to deploy.
I never served in the Army, but through my experiences in the Marine Corps, we are encouraged to read. Whenever you go to a PX (mini-mall or wal-mart type stores on base) there was always a section called the “Commandant’s Reading List.” It is encouraged to read and officers would test their Marines by asking what they were reading and explain a brief summary. In addition, Marines were required to complete MCI’s (Marine Corps Institute) for promotion. There were required courses relevant to rank and MOS (Military Occupation Specialty) and there were electives such as Risk Management, Counter Insurgency, Terrorism Awareness, etc.
When I came back home from Iraq, many of the tactics and operations we learned in our MOS school were irrelevant overseas, we had to give informal classes to unit that was getting ready to deploy and provide them useful knowledge towards their operations.
The military today is practicing leadership with two minds. Business schools today are teaching to adopt this principle. An organization large or small should adopt this as well. Finally, I want to conclude that just because you maybe on top today doesn’t mean you will be on top forever. What got you on top will not keep you there, you must enforce sustainability, lead with two minds, adapt to the rapid changes, and adopt a culture of research and learning.
Ryan Enriquez
Further Reading:
Achieving Breakthrough Results - FDU EMBA
Action Inquiry- Bill Torbert - FDU EMBA Course Book
Complacency Kills
I remember a saying we use to say in the Marines and it was often used in Iraq was “Complacency Kills.” For the past couple weeks my MBA professors were often saying we have to break through the comfort zone to become successful. Many leaders and businesses fail to break through the comfortzone because of fear and comfort.. Fear of the unknown and what may happen and comfortable because they are doing well.. they become complacent and within an instant their business can quickly fail.
Complacency Kills…
After hearing lessons from the battlegrounds with troops being complacent and costing lives which could of been prevented.. I apply it to my everday life and never forget it.. In business, just because your doing well now doesn’t mean you will be doing well a year from now. Look at Toyota’s situation for example being the number 1 automobile dealer in the world.. now what?? A couple years ago, Bear Sterns being one of the largest investment banks collapsed..
In life, we can get comfortable.. comfortable with living, with eating, and activities.. how will you grow? Imagine those who are comfortable with their lives.. How many people do you know who enter exercise programs.. go through the rigorous process, lose the weight, achieve their results and then become complacent… they ended up where they started again or worse, behind where they started.. little did they know… Complacency Kills!
Complaceny can kill your career.. I am about to graduate with my Masters in Public Administration and a disturbing comment was made by one of the students.. He said, “I am burnt out from school, I will never study again.. I got my masters now.. I am set.” I gave him a rude awakening when I told him, learning and studying is a never ending journey.. “Just because you have your masters now doesnt guarantee you a free ticket to the promise land. It’s a tool, now use it.. don’t get complacent.” Once you receive more tools under your belt, the next phase of learning should begin there after. Just because your educated and mastered this subject doesnt mean your educated forever.. your degree and knowledge will be worthless if you dont enforce sustainability and continue to learn. Now, that you left the classroom doesnt mean your done learning.. you have only begun.
What gets you to the top will not keep you there… Remember that!
Nobody likes change.. With the world moving very fast.. we must embrace and accept it… Always keep in mind.. Complacency Kills!
Ryan Enriquez
