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The ADCS Blog: A brain to pick and an ear to listen

2 mins read Children's Services Mentoring
Riana Nelson is chair of the ADCS Yorkshire & Humber region, and executive director of children, young people and families, City of Doncaster Council

International Mentoring Day (17 January 2025) honours the impactful relationships between mentors and mentees, highlighting the significant role that mentoring can play in personal and professional development.  The former American politician, John C Crosby, once said that “mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction”. It is a privilege to discover the truth in every part of that quote as I reflect on the many benefits of being a mentee and a mentor. 

My first engagement with a mentor came shortly after my appointment as a DCS when you can imagine my imposter tendencies were acute!  Before our first meeting, I had worked myself into a state, unsure about my ability to connect or relate to the mentor, especially as my professional journey was very different to the mentor’s journey.  But those doubts were quickly dispelled a few minutes into our first conversation.  She had a great sense of humour, was willing to listen, understood, troubleshooted, and problem-solved with me and was honest about her own experiences as well as the challenges and opportunities that I faced.  Personally, I was also deeply moved by her openness and desire to help me and hold a space for me to have a mirror held up.  In that moment, and every moment thereafter, I felt safe and learnt what it meant to be a great mentor. 

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