ACMN National Seminar – Strengths Based Mentoring – July 25, 2024
What an exciting time we shared as a community of practice as Christian mentors from across our nation! Almost 50 of us engaged on ZOOM from various different time zones (with others planning to catch up on the content later).
Key presenters Andy Goodacre, Kylie Butler and Sally Jones each shared with us from superbly integrated, yet different perspectives.
Thought provoking stats arose, such as
“People who focus on their strengths every day are:
– 3 times more likely to say they have an excellent quality of life.
– 6 times more likely to be enthusiastically engaged in their jobs.”
We were led through various tools like an excellent mini assessment for ourselves, which we could then share with those we mentor. Also included was a fabulous introductory understanding of the Enneagram, along with many other tools.
This helpful definition: Humility, Talent x Investment = Strength, was highlighted and explored, as was the importance of authenticity for ourselves and those we mentor. It really is a collaborative experience as we mentor others.
Truly we gained insights to “strengths based mentoring” benefitting ourselves and subsequently empowering and equipping others to flourish.
With our Speakers contributing also as part of our Panel, helpfully facilitated by Tim Dyer, we were then able to gain even deeper understanding of what had been shared. This also arose as we participated in breakout triads discussing and reflecting upon what we’d heard.
What’s this all mean? If you attended our National Seminar, we hope you have taken some real treasures away from the day. And go for it. Flourish through maximising your strengths, and support those you mentor to themselves flourish through their strengths.
And if you missed out?… Be sure to save the date when it comes around next year. And maybe chase up someone who attended, drawing out their discoveries so that you can benefit from them too!
– Rev Dr Brian Birkett