Wise Mentors

 By Harlan Loeb, Edelman US Director, Issues, Crisis & Risk and Northwestern Law School Professor, Crisis Litigation & The Court of Public Opinion

The ancient Roman philosopher Cicero wrote that the Greek philosopher Socrates “brought wisdom down from the heavens and into the households.” In today’s volatile global markets and political landscape that are sparking great instability and crises, we need modern sages like Socrates.

In recent years, rather than look to wise mentors or perceptive counselors, our instinct has been to thirst for anything that will cool down a hot spot. So when we examined the most recent bleak jobs report, we took solace that it wasn’t as bad as expected. We didn’t look for those who could offer longer-term answers for making real progress on the job front. Instead, we favor functionaries to provide a process that makes us feel that any motion we sense is real progress – even though it simply delays the inevitable.

Where are smart and sharp mentors to help us think broadly and dynamically? The astute advisors who recognize that solutions are a function of insight, planning and hard choices that frequently involve conflict. Those who can provide a safe platform and permission to explore, test and hypothesize with results that no other relationship can duplicate?

Why Mentors are Necessary

Let’s be clear why they’re needed: They can stabilize our emotions and help us channel our thinking into constructive engagement. Examples of these difference makers abound throughout history. Often they provide their guidance quietly and without fanfare. They offer it not just to presidents and politicians but to CEOs as well. They make a difference that others, often those closest to the particular leader, could never provide.

We saw a good example of that this past year when the movie The King’s Speech captured the astute wisdom that speech therapist Lionel Logue employed to help England’s King George VI overcome his stammer and regain his voice and stature. Logue’s wisdom extended well beyond speech therapy.

In industry, Warren Buffett credits famed investors Ben Graham and David Dodd for serving as mentors to him when they taught him at Columbia University. Their guidance forever changed the multibillionaire’s life. And Irene Rosenfeld, chairman and CEO of Kraft Foods, looked to a working mom, Jane Goldwasser, for advice and for providing good examples in Rosenfeld’s early days at General Foods, which later became a part of the Kraft family of brands. The wise counselor Goldwasser would take off her little bow tie (because they wore suits with ladylike bow ties in the 80s) and say, “Let’s get this done.”

Why We Need Them Now

I’m not talking about heroes here. A hero is admired for courage or noble qualities. A mentor is a trusted counselor or guide, much like Mentor in Greek mythology who served as a trusted counselor to Odysseus and educated his son.

Who are the wise advisors to our president and to his GOP presidential rivals? Who are the respected counselors to House and Senate leaders? These aren’t the political strategists who rarely put aside petty politics to truly consider how to deal realistically with critical economic, financial and social issues. Issues that must be dealt with now and not until after the next election. Who are those men and women distinguished for offering wisdom and sound judgment?

Lest you consider this philosophical piddle, let me conclude by emphasizing that it’s in times of crisis that the advice from a wise sage or two is most necessary and invariably our clients turn to us. We can serve as invaluable internal crisis communicators who decision makers listen to and respect. After the recent tumult to our markets and our mindset, when more crises seem to emerge daily, it seems vital to look for and listen to mentors who can make a difference.