Standing on the shoulders of giants | Austin Stanford | TEDxLakeTravisHigh

Summary

This speech emphasizes the importance of mentorship throughout history, using examples like Yoda from Star Wars, Haymitch from The Hunger Games, and Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings. It discusses how mentors see potential in others and guide them through challenges. The speaker shares personal experiences in seeking mentors, including reaching out to notable figures and learning from his grandfather. The key takeaway is to actively seek mentorship, respect mentors' time, and become a mentor to help others see further, standing on the shoulders of giants.

Takeaways

• 📚 Mentorship has been a vital part of human stories and personal growth throughout history, as exemplified by figures like Odysseus and Yoda.
• 🧐 People are drawn to mentors like Yoda because they embody wisdom and experience, passing on knowledge to the next generation, such as Luke Skywalker.
• 🌟 Mentors see potential in individuals that others might overlook, guiding them to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals, as seen in characters like Haymitch and Gandalf.
• 🔍 The speaker embarked on a 'year of mentors', actively seeking out connections with successful individuals to learn from their experiences.
• 🤔 The quest to find a mentor involves overcoming fear and intimidation, and being persistent in seeking out guidance and opportunities to learn.
• 📈 The speaker discovered that many potential mentors are not being approached due to their high status or popularity, leaving a wealth of untapped knowledge.
• 🤝 To maintain a mentoring relationship, it's important to come prepared with relevant topics and questions, and to respect the mentor's time.
• 💡 Not all potential mentors are sought after, and some are willing but waiting to be asked, presenting an opportunity for those seeking guidance.
• 👴 The personal impact of mentorship can be profound, as the speaker learned from his grandfather, who passed away, and other influential figures in his life.
• 🚀 Sir Isaac Newton's quote about standing on the shoulders of giants emphasizes the importance of learning from those who came before us to achieve greater heights.
• 🤝 The speaker challenges the audience to seek out mentors, learn from them, and also to become mentors themselves, creating a cycle of shared knowledge and growth.

Q & A

What historical example of mentorship is mentioned at the beginning of the script?

The script mentions the example from Homer's 'The Odyssey,' where Odysseus leaves his son Telemachus with his companion Mentor.

Why is Yoda considered a great mentor in the script?

Yoda is considered a great mentor because he passed on his wisdom and experience to Luke Skywalker, seeing potential in him where others saw a simple farmer.

How is Haymitch from 'The Hunger Games' similar to Yoda according to the script?

Haymitch is similar to Yoda because he also saw potential in Katniss Everdeen, guided her through challenges, and helped her become a significant figure in a revolution.

What qualities did Gandalf see in the hobbits that others overlooked?

Gandalf saw that the hobbits were teachable, determined, and full of potential, whereas others saw them as merely indulgent and unimportant.

How did the speaker try to find mentors, and what was the outcome?

The speaker reached out to various high-profile individuals through LinkedIn, Facebook, phone, email, and mail but received no responses until receiving advice from Robert.

What key advice did the speaker receive from Robert regarding finding mentors?

Robert advised the speaker to stop sending 'Will you be my mentor?' emails and start being present and embracing learning opportunities all around.

What realization did the speaker come to about where to look for mentors?

The speaker realized that instead of reaching out to highly popular figures, they should look for mentors who have the same level of expertise but are less sought after.

According to the script, what are the two main requirements to maintain a mentoring relationship?

To maintain a mentoring relationship, one needs to come with relevant topics and questions, and respect the mentor's time.

What personal story did the speaker share about taking a chance on a mentoring opportunity?

The speaker shared a story about choosing to sit with a billionaire CEO in an intimidating situation instead of sitting with friends, which led to a valuable mentoring relationship.

What lesson does the speaker draw from the example of their grandfather?

The speaker learned the importance of spending time and learning from older generations, as their grandfather taught them valuable life lessons and selflessness.

What famous quote does the speaker use to emphasize the importance of mentors, and who said it?

The speaker uses Sir Isaac Newton's quote, 'If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants,' to emphasize the importance of mentors.

What challenge does the speaker give to the audience regarding mentorship?

The speaker challenges the audience to be mindful of learning opportunities, seek out mentors, and also proactively invite others to stand on their shoulders to see further.