John Kieffer coping with the bitter cold outside Euston station
I met with John Kieffer today. As of today, he’s my mentor.
John’s a well-respected figure in the creative sector. He used to be the Director of Performing Arts for the British Council, and has an astonishing CV of accomplishments.
I particularly like the fact that he lists (in this order) his influences as: Professor Stuart Hall, Miles Davis, Mark Rothko and Joni Mitchell. They’re all on my various lists of “Greatest Ever…”
I have to say, the mentoring thing felt weird to set up. I’ve always encouraged my students to find a mentor – and I’ve long believed that you should always have at least one. Someone you trust to bounce ideas off, seek suggestions, introductions and advice from and generally just act as a guiding force.
I’ve had mentors throughout my career – whether they were aware of that role in any ‘official’ capacity or not. But John Kieffer was the first person I’ve ever actually approached and asked ‘would you please be my mentor?’. And that was a kind of a leap of faith (what if he said no?!).
But in fact, in the first instance, John approached me.
He’d read my New Music Strategies site and had downloaded the e-book. He emailed me, explained who he was, and we decided to meet up for a chat. At the time, there was no particular agenda – we sat and just talked about stuff for a couple of hours over a drink. This was about a month or so ago.
We got on well, and it struck me that this was somebody I could learn a great deal from. So I eventually just asked him if he’d be interested. And he was. In fact, he mentors a few people, and he’s very good at it. Good, solid advice – a real skill at stripping away the unnecessary – and focusing on the important things.
We met in the cafe at the British Library in London today, had a bite to eat and just spent another couple of hours while I laid out all of the stuff I’ve been thinking, doing and setting up lately. As a result, I spent the train ride back to Birmingham narrowing my 72-odd projects into seven core areas. And now I know how and why I can prioritise them.
I’m still processing all of the advice and information – so many things clarified, so many more things opening up as possibilities and opportunities.
If you can identify someone and convince them to act as your mentor – I thoroughly recommend it. And if you can find someone half as great as John, then you’re onto a winner.
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I also met Gilles Peterson today, which I know will interest a few of my readers.
I’ve long been a fan of his radio show, the compilation albums and the music scene that surrounds him. I’m doing some consultancy with his record label Brownswood — and we’re setting up a few really interesting online projects.
I’m dealing mainly with Simon and Thristian at the label (who are absolutely great), but Gilles was around today, which was nice — having long enjoyed his work and looked to his playlists for reliable recommendations about great music.
Looking forward to working more with those guys and developing those projects more. Can’t say too much about them just yet, but there are some really interesting ideas kicking around in there – and a great pool of ‘worldwide’ talent to draw from…
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Tagged: advice, arts, Business, culture, gilles peterson, heritage, Internet, jazz, life, mentor, Music, online, Personal, Travel
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4 Comments
“Mentoring” sounds like a good great, but I’ve always been a bit confused about what it should involve. I’m always trying to pick the brains of intelligent, knowledgeable people, that’s why I met you. Is it basically an excuse to have lunch with somebody you admire and get them to sort out your life for you? Something like a psychiatrist for those of us who prefer to remain un-diagnosed? ;)
It’s a little like you describe – but it’s essentially applying the wisdom and experience of someone who knows what they’re talking about to the specific things you’re trying to work through. There may be introductions to otherwise inaccessible people involved, and there may be a sounding board function in the mix too.
A psychologist (rather than a psychiatrist) will tend to sit and listen, ask questions and reflect you back to yourself rather than give specific advice – tending to allow you to overhear yourself and make the appropriate conclusions. A psychiatrist is more likely to prescribe medication.
A mentor will often give advice about what to actually do, and what will likely happen as a result. And it tends to be about big picture life and work stuff – rather than to address any particular mental illness.
I see. So I guess it makes sense to have a mentor for a particular project (or in the case of your ever-expanding empire, group of projects)? Somebody who knows a lot about what you’re trying to do in that project or field and can repeatedly guide the decisions you make, based on a deep, long-term understanding of what you’re trying to achieve?
I did try to find some mentors for my last project but it’s difficult to find people with the time, especially for free. I guess I should have persevered.
I’ll definitely try to get a few mentors for my next project, creating a community-built ethical consumer guide. I guess I should try to find somebody who works in a relevant charity (the prosecution), somebody who works in industry (the defendant) and somebody who has successfully started a business around a community-driven web site. If I can. So basically representing several key stakeholders who are playing roles that are directly related to what I’m trying to do. Does that sound sensible, or am I looking at the wrong similarities?
Still pretty sure I mean psychiatrist, though. ;)
Andrew,
Having been a mentor a very long (and enjoyable) time, I wanted to say that I loved the way you described the relationship and how it can expand one’s life and way of thinking. I also wanted to add that the best mentoring relationships are reciprocal — i.e., both parties benefit from the exchange.
I have a lunch coming up with one of my own young mentees and I’m greatly looking forward to it. In fact, I can’t think of a better way to while away the hours.
PS Browsed your entire site… very nicely done!
Sincerely,
Linda M. Lopeke
http://www.smartstartcoach.com
Success-to-go for people working @ the speed of life!