Saluting Mentors Who Inspire Our Labor — This Day and Everyday

Through the years, mentors helped us do more than define emotional expansiveness and skills—they molded our persistence, resilience, and aspirational reach.

With their wealth of wisdom, mentors play a crucial role in shaping us into the individuals we aspire to be. This Labor Day, I pay tribute to the mentors in my life—past, present, and future. Their guidance has been pivotal in my personal and professional growth, fueling my pursuit of aspirations.

Labor Day is the last hoorah of summer for many in the United States. It’s that wonderfully welcomed long weekend. Where it came from is found in the forgotten pages of history books. Some credit labor leader Peter McGuire for advocating for Labor Day. Others argue that another late 19th-century union leader, Matthew Maguire, deserves the hat tip.

Whether McGuire or Maguire was the originator of saluting workers’ contributions with a federally approved day of appreciation, the result was that many people—but not all—are now blessed with an extra day off to rest and reflect.

On this day, we applaud the efforts of workers, whether they are building structures, protecting public safety, managing finances, inventing new medicines, or serving customers. Some work to sustain their households, others to make ends meet. Our advocacy should address the struggles of all. Regardless of their role, every worker deserves our gratitude on Labor Day and on all days!

Today is also a day to acknowledge the people who got us to where we are — our parents, teachers, colleagues and mentors. We learned from them what to do, how to think through challenges, and when to realize we needed help to reach our goals.

"Mentorship is about more than just guidance; it’s about nurturing potential and fostering the emotional resilience necessary for professional growth. A true mentor helps you understand yourself better, guiding you to make decisions that align with your core values and strengths." — Burton Giges, MD, from a lecture at NYU Stern School of Business on leadership and professional development, 2003. 

Mentors are unique and precious. Sometimes, they appear out of nowhere to help us grow. Other times, they’re appointed to the role. Often, they are adopted sector role models. They are family, friends, community members, commanders, and workplace leaders. They are never perfect beings, and that is what makes them valuable. We don’t have to be them — we see ourselves in the reflection of their lives. The best are authentic and offer support without expecting a “pay-back.” The wisest helped me appreciate that the work hard and play nice approach avoids wasting time and emotional energy —swirl is a needless obstacle to bigger, life-changing goals.

"The best mentors have an uncanny ability to see more talent and ability within you than you see in yourself, and they help bring it out of you. They push you out of your comfort zone and give you the courage to step up to the next level." — Sheryl Sandberg, from her book Lean In Women, Work, and the Will to Lead 2013.

I’ve been blessed with many exceptional mentors through the decades. Some disappeared in the pre-internet abyss and are untraceable. Others retired. Some have left this world for the next. All are remembered and appreciated. They helped make me who I am—for whatever that’s worth.

"A mentor doesn’t just tell you what to do; they guide you to discover your strengths and weaknesses. They help you find your path by offering wisdom, not answers, and encouraging you to think for yourself." — David Finn in PR Week, 2005.

Through the years, mentors have included clients who offered me a window into their lives and gifted me an enduring lesson. Unsurprisingly, quite a few younger colleagues termed Millennials and Gen X, Y, and Z, whose generational interests and aspirations help me be more expansive and current. I’m ecumenical regarding where I pick up a good life lesson. I’m still traveling forward, trying to learn, apply, and be a better me. So, young and old — you are making me smarter every day we labor together. Mentors and the readiness to learn from each other make amazing things possible.

To all of you — to all my mentors — thank you! I am what I am today on the foundation of your ideas and guidance. Sometimes, I heeded your counsel. Other times, I pioneered my way. But the conversations made an impact. My labor today is fulfilling and transformative, contributing to sustaining and saving lives. I was inspired by the teachers who gave of themselves and infused me with a passion for the work. Mentors reminded me that our labor — every moment — does make a difference.