Mentorship is a personal developmental relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person helps to guide a less experienced or less knowledgeable person. However, true mentoring is more than just answering occasional questions or providing ad hoc help. It is about an ongoing relationship of learning, dialog, and challenge. The term “mentor” dates back to Greek Mythology but its application continues to this day.

Think about it… we’ve all had mentors in our lives. As we are protégés (students) of someone who has provided guidance, advice, instruction, and support about various aspects of our lives. Parents, teachers, older siblings and family, and supportive friends serve as our mentors.

I was pleasantly surprised by the number of comments on my blog piece about helping my great nephew select his first two pairs of boots. I was equally as disappointed when I asked about boot mentoring on the “Boots on Line” board and got very few responses.

So what is a “boot mentor?” Do guys need one?
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One of my great nephews started high school this year, and before he went to school, he asked me to help him find a pair of boots to wear to school. On our shopping adventure, he ended up getting two pairs of boots — one pair of black Chippewa harness boots and a pair of distressed brown Justin regular cowboy boots.

Is he wearing his boots to school? What does he think about them?
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