Inside Mentorship with Jennifer Sono

Jennifer Sono talks to us about her role as a mentor, the importance of being a mentor and the qualities that every mentor should possess.

As a health and fitness guru, Jennifer Sono uses her positive outlook on life to stay motivated and focused, and she wants to guide others in doing the same. “I decided to become a mentor because I didn’t have one when I was young. I was confused, and I could have used this kind of guidance, ” she says.

Jennifer believes that honest communication that is free of judgment is key to being a good mentor. “It is easier to talk to someone that you don’t know about the things that are bothering you. The youth don’t always turn to their parents, because they are afraid that they will be judged based on expectations.”

Jennifer concludes by saying that everybody has an opportunity to take a stand: “Fighting peer pressure and defining who you want to be are both harsh realities, but the absence of these values is even harder to swallow.”

Jennifer offers tips for those taking the pledge Be The Mentor to guide them on their journey:

• Be a good listener – listen with understanding and compassion.
• Be genuine - offer no judgment.
• Be compassionate – think of your mentee as your brother or sister and put yourself in their shoes.
• Be true - find interesting ways to offer your mentees advice without belittling them or being condescending.
• Be yourself - use your experiences to guide with honesty as a benchmark. The fact that you have “been there and done that” is a quality that will appeal to your mentees.

Be the Mentor you wish you had. TAKE THE PLEDGE NOW.