Today’s special author guest is Doug Lawrence to chat with me about his new personal development book, The Gift of Mentoring.
Bio:
Doug Lawrence is the founder of TalentC® and Co-founder of the International Mentor Community.
Doug leads organizations to experience the benefits how mentoring will encourage workforce culture to flow in harmony (mentors), improve productivity from employees (mentees), reducing costly employee onboarding improving the bottom line (organizations).
Doug is an International Certified Mentor, and has obtained his Certificate of Achievement – Mentoring, his Certificate of Competence – Mentor and his Certificate of Competence – Journey Mentor from the International Mentoring Community (IMC).
Doug’s Practice of Mentoring has resulted in his accumulation of 2,000 hours of mentoring (in person and virtual), 197 hours of speaking opportunities and 672 hours teaching others how to effectively mentor.
Doug is a volunteer mentor with the Sir Richard Branson Entrepreneur Program in the Caribbean and with the American Corporate Partners in the United States working with military personnel in their transition from military life to civilian life. Doug is currently working with researchers to examine the role of mentoring as a support for those struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). His experience in law enforcement coupled with working with people suffering from PTSD has afforded him a unique view of mentoring and PTSD.
Doug is an international speaker and author about all facets of Mentoring. He published “The Gift of Mentoring” in 2014 with his second book set to publish in 2021.
Doug works with organizations to establish mentoring programs, influence mentoring as a culture, and provides one-on-one direct mentoring for individuals of all backgrounds and levels globally.
Doug has created the Employee Mental Health Mentoring Community for employees, their families, and the general public who are experiencing stress, anxiety, and burnout or a plethora of mental health challenges.
The Employee Mental Health Mentoring Community is a place to get help and discover the tips, tools, and techniques to get through challenging times.
Contact Doug directly to discover how mentoring can improve your organization.
Please tell us about your current release.
Three individuals strongly recommended that I write a book on mentoring. They felt that there had not been many if any books written from the practical application of mentoring.
What inspired you to write this book?
The encouragement I got from people that I would call my mentors was the spark that I needed to move forward with writing this book. I have since had feedback that has confirmed that this was the right thing to do. I have had people say that when they read the book it was like I was sitting beside them on a park bench and reading the story to them.
What exciting story are you working on next?
My next book is about mentoring and mental health. I have done a lot of research on how mentoring can be part of the support structure for mental health and mental well-being. Mental health is the next pandemic that we are going to have to address.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I didn’t realize it until I published this book. I spoke at a conference in Victoria, BC one time and brought along a dozen books to hand out. I was overwhelmed by the number of people that lined up to get a copy after I was done speaking.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I don’t write full time but wish that I could. My day is busy with mentoring others and I have been doing a number of Podcasts lately which has been exhilarating as I get to tell a story. I am an international mentor so I am dealing with people all over the world. I am also a strong proponent of mentor certification and I spend time promoting that. I try to block time for my writing but that doesn’t always work.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I sometimes get buried in the story and end up drawing on personal situations that I reflect back on.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Police officer. I spent 25 years in the RCMP.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
There is no reason for you to have to go on your journey in life alone. You can always reach out to a mentor who can walk with you and be your guide. Remember, there is no more powerful gift than “The Gift of Mentoring”.
Links:
Website | LinkedIn | Twitter
Thanks for being here today, Doug.