In their book, Connecting: the Mentoring Relationships You Need in Your Life, Stanley and Clinton's uncovered the following, "Research on mid-career, contemporary leaders led them to this conclusion - other individuals helped most of these men and women in timely situations along the way.  Their relationship to another person significantly enhanced their development.  Most case studies listed three to ten significant people who helped shape their lives."
 
Stanley and Clinton define mentoring as "a relational process in which a mentor, who knows or has experienced something, transfers that something (resources of wisdom, information, experience, confidence, insight, relationships, status, etc.) to a mentoree, at an appropriate time and manner, so that it facilitates development or empowerment."
 
Over the years, I have felt, and have heard many others make the same claim, that I wish I had access to a great mentor.  Since my father passed away when I was in my 20's, I've often felt I was carrying my machete in the jungle by myself.  Let's face it; those of us in leadership roles are thirsty for a mentor.