Mentorship and Volunteer Work - Just A Nudge

Today Jim and I welcome a special guest. Paul Carroll was my mentor in the start-up staffing space at the beginning of my career and he joins us today to talk about his latest work volunteering with young men in the foster care system

We started recording before my introduction:). It sounded good so we decided to keep rolling. Sorry for any confusion

Pauls shares his sense of urgency and the “signs” that showed up for him that got him interested in this work initially

He shares how the work went from theoretical to practical

Jim asks Paul if this is similar to the problem/solution approach he’s taken in business. Paul says yes, but he brought some other experiential nuance to bear

Jim asks why he’s doing it. Paul explains how his life has evolved to make this available to him. It’s time and he feels he can make an impact

Jim mentions how being independent allows us to do this “non-profit” work. An dhow important it is for kids to have a purpose

Paul shares his son’s squash career and how he brought in his foster kids to the program and how those cultures mixed and mingled

He’s found that other similar organizations have been interested in him sharing his approach as well

Paul shares some details of his upbringing. How he was raised by a “village” along with his mom

Jim reflects on the multicultural nature of Paul’s group of kids and how what they look like just doesn’t matter. Paul shares how diverse his hiring always was, because it was about results, not appearances. He emphasizes the importance of people’s childhoods in determining how to motivate and challenge them

Jim brings Mark into the discussion. Mark shares his relationship with Paul and how they’ve reconnected. He talks about mentorship and reads a definition

Mark reflects on the similarities of what Paul is doing now to what he’s always done

Mark met Paul when he was 26. He shares how they met and started working together

The guys joke about Paul being “nice” or “kind” and the simplicity of his approach

Then Jim asks Paul about Mark. Paul shares his opinion of Mark’s strengths and contextualizes their beginning in the early 90’s in Orlando, FL

Jim asks Paul if his eye for talent transfers into his assessment of his current group of foster kids. Paul says yes it does. A little direction and hand holding. Some kindness, patience and mentorship coupled with some activities is sometimes all these kids need

Jim asks Mark to read the definition of wisdom and then asks Paul what he thinks. He sees wisdom as life experience and travel experience. Been there, done that. I see the fork and if you go that way, it’s not going to be pretty

Paul put’s life in perspective and reflects on his mother’s advice. No regrets.  He learned that early. Pauls says he has things he still wants to do, but he has no regrets

Mark shares Pauls testimonial about the podcast and his son’s enjoyment of it

Mark reflects on Paul’s influence and in particular how to be in a moment. Paying attention and recognizing when you’re in a moment and how simplicity plays a role in success

Jim shares our wheel and then lists some of our “self” lists. He teaches his boys self respect and feels strongly that this is the key. Everything is temporary and life is a series of choices. If you maintain your self respect, everything else will come to you. Look at life through your own eyes