Can you name the 1960 World Series Baseball Champions? Or how about the Academy Awards Best Picture for 1972? Having some trouble?

Then name the teacher or teachers who helped you in school? Can you quickly remember the friend or family member who was always there for you.

What questions were easier to answer? If you were like me, the questions about people who cared about you were far easier. In most cases, these individuals were some of your first mentors

Mentors help others overcome difficult or what are believed to be difficult challenges. Their sage words and thoughtful insight support the "mentees" continued drive forward against adversity and toward success.

Mentors have always been present in our culture even though some may appear to be hidden. These individuals have assumed many roles from coach, to boss, to grandmother, to philosopher, to scientist, to minister to brother and friend. The list is endless as is the dedication of these mentors.

Napoleon Hill recognized the value of mentors in his book Think and Grow Rich. Through the use of Mastermind Groups, individuals could unlock the knowledge, wisdom and insight of others. These Master Mind Groups were simply speaking a collection of mentors, a key, helping each other reach further and higher than they ever thought possible by themselves.

Mentoring is a developed skill set. Anyone from the young child to the older adult can be a mentor provided they want to and that they are willing to continually work at improving this incredible skill set.

What skills does it take to be a mentor? The list is very long, but should include these 5 essential skills:

• Empathy
• Being aware
• Listening for what is said and what is not said
• Asking "good" questions much like the Socrates
• Critical thinking skills that separate symptoms from problems

Have you ever experienced that little voice inside of you that says to "quit," "give-up," or "it is not worth it." And then did you talk to someone who worked you through why you should not quit, give-up and understood that yes, it is worth it?

• What would have happened if you had not had the chance to share your thoughts with someone else?
• Would you have missed an incredible opportunity?

Probably, one of your many mentors helped you through that experience. And looking back, hopefully, you are now grateful for that person or those persons.

Now it is your turn to pass the baton to the next generation by becoming a mentor. Establish a Master Mind Group. Volunteer at a local school. Through these conscious actions, you, too, will develop your mentoring skills and be surprised about your own performance as well.

P.S. The answers to the first two questions are the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cabaret.