As Iron Sharpens Iron: Building Character in a Mentoring Relationship [Hardcover]

There are two sections to this work: how to find a mentor, and how to be a mentor. Hendricks emphasizes there are many more men seeking mentors than there are men who are willing to be mentors. He discourages actually using the title of "mentor" when establishing such a supportive relationship, for fear it will intimate one of the parties. Instead, he promotes referring to the interaction as what would occur between two friends. Hendricks also describes how to spot a mentor or a protégé, then how to avoid common pitfalls of such an arrangement.

For anyone seeking to learn from a respected male friend, or for someone seeking to invest his life-lessons of experience in a younger man, this book is simply invaluable.

Mike Menchaca wrote:

As you all know, your first reading assignment was to self-select a mentoring book from Amazon.com. You can thread your postings from here.

It will be very helpful to the class if you'd include the following: 1. Author and Name of the Book 2. Three Major Important Points emphasized by the book. 3. Why you liked the book. 4. Why you didn't like the book. 5. Overall assessment of the book.

QUESTION #1: Howard and William Hendricks (Father and Son Team) Building Character in a Mentoring Relationship: As Iron Sharpens Iron - 1995 (270 pages)

QUESTION #2: This book is addressed specifically toward men and is broken in 2 major parts with a Mentoring Action Plan located in the back of the book. Its release was scheduled to coincide with the 1995 schedule of the national Promise Keepers conferences.

Part 1 is for men who want to be mentored.

This part helps the reader to understand what character traits he should look for when trying to find a mentor: someone who is real, creative, and captures your heart. The book focuses on the mentoring that leads to spiritual maturity with numerous analogies and examples of what character traits a man needs to nature our souls. Hence the title which is derived from the Bible: "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens the other." (Proverbs 27:!7)

It identifies on p.63 "Ten Marks of a Mentor" The ideal mentor is a person who... 1. Seems to have what you personally need. 2. Cultivates relationships. 3. Is willing to take a chance on you. 4. Is respected by other Christians. 5. Has a network of resources. 6. Is consulted by others. 7. Both talks and listens. 8. Is consistent in his lifestyle. 9. Is able to diagnose your needs. 10.Is concerned with your interests.

This part of the book explains the benefits of having a mentor: helps you reach your goals and provides a role model. Where to find a mentor: at work, at college, or your church. How to cultivate a mentor relationship. The differences between a formal and informal mentoring relationship. The expectations both realistic and unrealistic. And taking personal responsibility for growing a mentoring relationship.

Part 2 is for men who are willing to serve as mentors.

This part of the book cites several examples of Biblical men (Paul and Barnabas) who felt inadequate about leadership, yet were very influential to the lives of numerous men. It explains the benefits of being a mentor: relationships, personal growth, and making a difference in the lives of other men. The roles of a mentor are clearly explained and "analogized" with several examples. On page 159 the book defines the mentoring relationship by using these practical keys to serve his protégé.

A Mentor... - is a source of information - provides wisdom (as guided by the Bible) - promotes specific skills and effective behaviors - provides feedback - coaches - is a sounding board - is someone to turn to - helps devise plans - nurtures curiosity

Then this part of the text goes on to state how to find a protégé, what to look for, and how to properly cultivate the mentoring relationship.

The Mentoring Action Plan found in the third section of the book is designed as a workbook to help develop Mentor / Protégé relationships in a thoughtful and practical manner. It focuses on the art of mentoring in a reflective way with discussion and activities that can be used a a primer for mentoring relationships.

QUESTION #3:

I enjoyed the many practical examples presented in this book. It is straightforward, easy to read, and can be life changing. It is one of those books that you want to go back and reread for insight and direction.

QUESTION #4:

This book is targeted toward a very specific audience. As a man and a Christian, I had no complaints with this book. However, if I was neither this book probably would not be very useful or convincing to me.

QUESTION #5: Overall, I would recommend this book to other men who are wondering how to create meaningful, Godly relationships with other men.

Content Description: The majority of the content of this work shows that through Biblical as well as a few secular texts that men throughout history have helped to mentor the youth of their culture in positive ways. Audience: In my own opinion this book is aimed at all adult males who have grown up in social environment that stipulates that all men are to be a "Lone Ranger" figure. There is nothing wrong with these qualities per se as I to was raised this way; however, one must realize that to better society as a whole, men with experience and skills need to impart their knowledge in a mentoring relationship to other men or young adults to better promote values and skills which are constructive and build a better individual and thus society.

Special Features: This book's target market is men. Men who are Christians or at least know of the Christian Bible. The skills taught in this book remind me of Special Forces cross-training methods. That is to say that each squad of 12 men learn their particular skills then impart their knowledge to other members of their squad. The squad (society) then grows from each individual learing these skills. This is the mentoring process.

Warnings of Weakness: This is not really a weakness; however, if one equates a Biblical reading Christian man as a mind controlled lab rat there could be a hesitation to the acceptance of the overall message. If one is not of an open mind, and only looks to secular texts this may not be the book for you. However, if you can read a Biblical-based text as well as secular texts without suffering from cognitive dissonance I think you would enjoy the message of this book.