Establishing Values as a Mentee in a Mentorship (September 16, 2025)

Mentorship is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. While mentors often set the tone for guidance, the mentee also plays a crucial role in shaping the relationship. One of the most effective ways for a mentee to contribute is by establishing and living by core values. These values not only guide your own journey but also strengthen the foundation of your mentorship.

Why Values Matter for Mentees

As a mentee, your values determine how you show up, how you engage, and how much you grow. Clear values help you:

• Communicate Expectations – Being open about what matters to you helps your mentor understand how best to support you.

• Stay Grounded – When challenges arise, values serve as an anchor for your decisions.

• Earn Trust – Demonstrating consistency in your actions builds confidence with your mentor.

Core Values to Embrace

While each mentee will define values differently, here are a few that often shape strong mentorships:

• Curiosity – Approach each interaction with openness and a willingness to learn.

• Accountability – Take ownership of your goals, progress, and actions.

• Respect – Value your mentor’s time, insights, and experiences.

• Honesty – Share your struggles and aspirations openly, even when it feels vulnerable.

Putting Values Into Action

Establishing values means more than writing them down—it’s about living them out in your mentorship:

• Show Curiosity by preparing thoughtful questions before meetings.

• Practice Accountability by following through on action steps and reporting back.

• Demonstrate Respect by being punctual and engaged during conversations.

• Model Honesty by being transparent about challenges or uncertainties.

Growing Through Reflection

Check in with yourself regularly: Am I living up to my values as a mentee? Are there areas where I could be more consistent? Reflection helps you stay aligned and gives your mentor insight into your growth journey.

The Bigger Picture

By establishing and living out your values as a mentee, you set the tone for a purposeful mentorship. You show your mentor that you are committed, intentional, and ready to grow—not just in your career, but as a person. When values lead the way, mentorship becomes more than guidance; it becomes transformation.

First Day of School Advice for Athletic Communications Professionals (August 12, 2025)

 Today marks the first day of classes for the students of Spartanburg Methodist College. I thought I would write this quick blog post to provide some insight to my colleagues. It’s a key opportunity for you to set the tone for your coverage all year long. Here are some quick tips:

1️⃣ Capture the Energy – Snap candid photos of student-athletes walking to class, meeting teammates, or reuniting after summer. These moments make great social posts.

2️⃣ Reintroduce Your Brand – Use the day to share your department’s voice, mission, and hashtags so they’re fresh in everyone’s minds.

3️⃣ Build Relationships Early – Check in with coaches, student-athletes, and yes… their parents. Strong connections now make coverage easier later.

4️⃣ Organize Your Coverage Plan – Finalize your fall sports content calendar and double-check your templates, graphics, and rosters.

5️⃣ Be Visible – Attend events, walk campus, and show up where the action is. Visibility builds trust and makes you the go-to person for stories.

💡 Pro Tip: A simple “Welcome Back” post with action shots or team smiles can rack up engagement and set a positive tone.

Articles of Interest (Jan. 1, 2017)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

This blog is dedicated to help people regardless of where you are at in your professional journey. I am excited to see what 2017 will bring forth, both personally and professionally. I am thankful for those of you, who have shared this blog with others. 

QUOTES of ENCOURAGEMENT

"We all have ability. The difference is how we use it." - Stevie Wonder


“For many people a job is more than an income - it's an important part of who we are. So a career transition of any sort is one of the most unsettling experiences you can face in your life."  – Paul Clitheroe via Michelle Robin, Career Hacks e-newsletter

 ARTICLES OF INTEREST

STRATEGIC

Everything Happens for a Reason (Republished - Chris Yandle, Front Office Sports) 

Side note: I have known Chris Yandle since his days as a student assistant at the University of Louisiana. He remains one of the most genuine and transparent people about the rigors that working in athletics does both personally and professionally.  

How to Create an Extra Hour at Work to Think Each Day (Robin Madell, US News and World Report)

ENGAGED

The 1% Rule That'll Make Reaching Big Goals Feel Easy (Alyse Kalish, via The Muse)

Articles of Interest (Dec. 29, 2016)

This blog is dedicated to help people regardless of where you are at in your professional journey. I am excited to see what 2017 will bring forth, both personally and professionally. I am thankful for those of you, who have shared this blog with others. 

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

STRATEGIC

Small Ways to Achieve BIG Goals (Darren Hardy)

Side note: In the middle of 2016, I signed up to receive a text message of mentorship from Darren Hardy. It has been a valuable addition to my morning reflection time to complement the many abundance of articles as well as information on social media. 

A Plan is Better than Luck (Vitae)

ENGAGED

Play Chess, Not Checkers with Your Sports Career (Bob Hamer, Sports Business Solutions) - This isn't a current article but it is something that I recently came across and thought it was beneficial to share in this space.

Side note: Sports Business Solutions provides training, consulting, and recruiting services for sports teams and provide Career Services for those interested in working in sports.

TEAMWORK

A tweet from Jon Gordon:

QUOTES of ENCOURAGEMENT

"If you lose the motivation to pursue your goals, you need to expand your why." – Michael Hyatt

"Know what you want to do, hold the thought firmly, and do every day what should be done, and every sunset will see you that much nearer your goal." – Elbert Hubbard

JOB LEADS within Sports Information

• Assistant Athletic Director for Communications, St. Gregory's University (Shawnee, Oklahoma / NAIA)
• Multimedia Assistant, West Virginia University

Articles of Interest (Dec. 22, 2016)

Before I get into the latest edition of the #GetSET blog, I wanted to take a brief break to be thankful. On Wednesday, December 21, John McNichols - passed away after complications from a stroke. Coach McNichols was one of the first coaches I worked with early in my career in sports information at Indiana State University. He allowed me to come alongside him to do many great things including hosting the 2002 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships. It might be the events, the meets that some people will remember but it will be the visits to his office or in casual conversations that I will remember most. He was a very dedicated and committed to every individual, who came alongside him. I share his legacy in this space to reiterate the importance of your relationships. Coach McNichols was very subservient and a great teammate in all that he did. He epitomized what it meant to be SET.

 

John McNichols

“A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.” – Maya Angelou

This blog remains dedicated to help people regardless of where you are at in your professional journey.

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

STRATEGIC

Balancing Current Performance with Future Growth (Thought Leaders, LLC)

ENGAGED

Stop Wasting Your Time at Work (Joel Garfinkle, SmartBrief)

TEAMWORK

550 Billion Reasons You Need Better Teammates (Thought Leaders, LLC)

QUOTE of ENCOURAGEMENT

"I have never felt that anything really mattered but the satisfaction of knowing that you stood for the things in which you believed, and had done the very best you could." – Eleanor Roosevelt

JOB LEADS within Sports Information

• Intern, Arizona State University
• Associate Athletic Director for External Relations, Adelphi University

Articles of Interest (Dec. 20, 2016)

This is the latest edition of the #GetSET blog with articles, news and notes as well as various job leads within sports information that I have seen posted through various mediums. This blog remains dedicated to help people regardless of where you are at in your professional journey.

If you haven't read the book, "2 Chairs" by Bob Beaudine, put it on your list to read. I took the time to read and reflect upon it, this year.

Mr. Beaudine ranks as one of the most influential authors that I have read and is part of the inspiration behind me doing this blog.

"You never know how many opportunities come your way. Nor will you know how small or how large. You simply need to make the most of each & every one! Be ready!" - Bob Beaudine

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

STRATEGIC
Finding the niche of those in the hiring process is a key part of being 'strategic' in your job search. I came across this article, in relationship to those in university human resources departments.
Read more. 

ENGAGED
• 5 Easy Tips for Cultivating Relationships That Matter (Jeff Charles)

• 4 Ways to Become the Mentor Your Company Needs (Anka Wittenberg, Chief Learning Officer)

TEAMWORK

• 4 Ugly Ways Conversations to Have With Your Team Before Year End (Karin Hurt, Let's Grow Leaders)

QUOTES of ENCOURAGEMENT

"There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you are interested in doing something, you do it only when it is convenient. When you are committed to something, you accept no excuses." – Ken Blanchard

"We can't afford to let pointless inefficiencies slow us down. We must equip our teams with the proper tools." – Michael Hyatt

JOB LEADS within Sports Information

• Assistant Director, Radford University
  
• Assistant Director, New Mexico State University
  
• Assistant Director, University of Missouri-Kansas City
  
• Assistant Athletic Director for Communications and Public Relations, University of California-Davis