How To Master Mentoring,
Part 4: The Power of One

This is podcast episode # 51 of The Rabbi Who Got Rich on Sunday, and the 4th episode in a mini-series about how to master mentoring, which focuses on “the power of one”

As with the previous episodes in the How to Master Mentoring mini-series, this episode also starts with a story of how an advisor mentored me and continues with two of the individuals I mentored while in Columbus Ohio, and another in my side business, all showing the power of one.

My hope in sharing my experiences in how to master mentoring in this episode is to demonstrate that helping even one person can lead to immeasurable success in life and in any business, including a side hustle.

I’m Rabbi Dave, and every week, we explore the challenges and triumphs of achieving business success while also living a #dreamlife.

How to Master Mentoring Story #7: A Coach and the power of one

I grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, and like most 9th graders, I wanted to be popular and be good at sports.  Through 7th grade, I went to a small private school, where I was the big fish in a tiny pond. I was a star athlete and very popular.  Then, I went to public school.

All of a sudden, I wasn’t the best at anything, or at least that’s how it felt!  During the summer, I went to the annual Baltimore Jewish Festival in the Harbor, and one of the booths advertised the Baltimore Jewish Basketball League.  The man at the desk introduced himself as coach Chaim and told me that I could play in the league in the fall.

I loved all the attention and quickly learned that I knew nothing about real basketball, but coach Chaim Katz taught me to box out and get in position, and as a result, I stood out in the league by leading in rebounds. 

With Chaim’s suggestion, I started wearing a kippah (Jewish head covering) and tztizes (religious garment) when I played, and I just kept getting better!  Soon, I found myself coaching a team into the Junior League Championship, and the opposing coach was none other than Chaim!  

We had the ball and a one-point lead with 15 seconds left, and I called a timeout.  I had the best four guards in the league, and I told them to pass the ball around and, no matter what, don’t shoot.  The youngest guard got the ball and was wide open under the basket, and I screamed, “Don’t shoot!” But he did anyway.  The other team rebounded and threw a wild shot all the way to the other end of the court; the ball went through the basket, and boy, did Chaim rub it in!

The following year, Chaim made me the league commissioner and became a leader (when I finished, he gave me a very special set of the Old Testament that became my constant companion as I began my Rabbinical studies).  I also joined the youth group that sponsored the league NCSY and became a leader there.  In that youth group, Chaim ran all the Shabbatons (Sabbath conventions), and I became his right-hand man, going with him everywhere he went. I eventually took over that job when he left.

He was a model of “how to master mentoring” and taught me the power of one, leadership, responsibility, how to give back, and how to be a star. More importantly, he modeled for me how to be religious but still be cool, yet also be a Bible scholar, too. We have had our rough moments over the years, but we are still very close, and his mentorship lessons still guide me today.

So, how many players did Chaim recruit for the Basketball League at that fateful festival?  You guessed it, just one – me!

How to master mentoring Story #8: Two students and the power of one

When I was in Columbus, Ohio, I continued to master mentoring myself and was very close to and mentored many students that I have treasured memories with, such as Heather S, Avi A, Tuly W, Omri F, Jon S, Eli D, Dina V, David W, Dennis R, Tzivia A and so many more.  I’m going to share with you two power-of-one stories that still pay me back today!

Julia Y was a student in a prestigious private school.  One of my jobs was to start and teach Jewish clubs in secular schools throughout the greater Columbus area. In some of the clubs, I had over 100 students. 

In Julia’s school, there were only 2 Jewish students, and she was the only one who came.  My supervisor told me that I had to stop the club because my time needed to be spent in locations with more potential.  I’m not sure why, but somehow, I knew I would continue the club there anyway.  Julia became one of my star students, attended every event, became the leader of her chapter, which she joined, knowing no one at first, and won the highest honor we gave when she graduated high school. 

One of the hardest things I ever had to do was to get her to break up with her religious boyfriend, whom she had met through our events. I knew he was going to hold her back from her potential. 

Her private school scheduled their graduation on the Jewish Sabbath, and even though she was the valedictorian, they refused to change the date. She made a presentation that I helped with to the chairperson of her school board, who was also the Governor of Ohio’s wife, and prevailed in changing the date so she could attend! She did this in such a respectful and impressive way that she made her a lifelong friend, and the governor’s wife came to her wedding!

She invited me to be the officiating Rabbi at her wedding, and I was in such pain as I sat in the Atlanta airport, where my flight stopped over on the way from New Jersey to the wedding in Chicago because the flight was delayed, and I missed the wedding.

Julia became a real leader of her Jewish community in Chicago and is one of those rare students who always show gratitude. She has made me a part of her beautiful family as it has grown.  I marvel as I watch her kids grow into leaders in their own right, and I can’t imagine if I had not believed in the power of one!

Scott S was a student at the Jewish Religious Day School.  My job at the school was to instill spirit and leadership growth and teach Jewish values in an informal way.  One of my jobs was directing the student board of the middle school.  

On the board were several of the most popular girls and one guy, Scott.  Scott did not fall for popularity contests; he focused only on what was best for the school. Because of his focus, the entire student board rose to the occasion and had great success.  

Scott had no problem with fear of failure, and I followed Scott’s accomplishments as he grew up. When he graduated with a business degree, he came to interview for a position with a different department in the nonprofit I worked for.  I did not have a big budget and only had a salary for one other person to work with me, but I told him not to work for that other department and hired him on the spot. 

My supervisor was furious about my hiring him for my one and only one position, but, to this day, he admits it was the best hire I ever made. Scott and I started a string of remarkable accomplishments together and broke records in recruitment for our Israel trips called OU Israel Free Spirit Birthright when all the experts said we could never compete with the less religious party trips.  We focused on quality and true spirituality and grew to be one of the largest and most successful organizers.

When I moved up in the organization, I wanted him to come with me, but he also wanted to try out other opportunities.  I was devastated, but I knew it was best for him and he had many other successes, and we always remained close.

He married an extraordinary lady, and they have a wonderful family together. He ended up living very close to us after we moved to Israel.  

One of my most important consulting jobs had a shift in the personnel for my department, and I needed a number two person to whom I could count to get the job done.  I only had one chance to hire the right person and could not find a person I felt good about. 

As I struggled with what to do, I attended the engagement party of a friend’s daughter, and Scott was there.  He told me about how he had just decided to leave his current job and was looking.  Once again, I hired him for that one crucial slot on the spot, and once again, we have broken records with our work together.  Never underestimate the power of one!

How to master mentoring Story #9: My side business and the power of one

One of my first Birthright students on the very first trip I led was Andy S.  Andy loved the trip and stayed in Israel longer to learn more about Judaism with me.  We became very close friends and remain so to this day.  One day, as I was driving him to a Jewish event in New Jersey, we arrived at our destination, and he locked the doors and forced me to tell him about my side business. I had never told or recruited any of my students about what I did outside of being a Rabbi, but the word had leaked out!  

Andy was the power of one example from within my students.  

He was the first student I worked with in business, and he was the first person I helped replace his entire income.  When Andy later got married (yes, I officiated) and had kids, his kids had a stay-at-home father for their whole lives! 

Andy was the leader in my business who continued to excel at every level, which helped my business excel as well!  Eventually, he branched off into several other successful business ventures, using the “how to master mentoring” techniques and skills he had learned from me. 

If Andy had not locked me in the car and forced me to share my business success, I might never have broken through from my Rabbi relationship to help him achieve business success and helped him create the #dreamlife.

How to Master Mentoring Recap and Weekly Podcast Challenge

I hope you enjoyed the fourth episode in the miniseries “The Rabbi Who Got Rich on Sunday Shares Mentorship Mastery.” This week’s challenge is to think about the one person who, if you could recruit them, would transform your business or organization and share with me who they are, why you think they are your “one,” and what your approach will be to recruit them.  If you already have your “power of one” story, share that as well.

If you’re looking for a mentor and are ready to take your personal growth seriously and see how it can transform your business, I’d love to help you on that journey. Send me an email to set up a free consultation. Let’s unlock your full potential together.

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