"A goal without a plan is just a wish. "
-Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Richard Caruso established the Uncommon Individual Foundation with John C. Crosby Ed.D, in 1986. He was inspired by his own successes to search for a way to help others realize their ambitious dreams. Recognizing that mentoring was an important part of his life, he wished to start an organization that would provide people with personal advice and support in order to enable them to do what they believed would move them closer to their individual personal success.
Ten Commandments for Mentors
John C. Crosby
1. Thou shalt not play God.
2. Thou shalt not play mother or father.
3. Thou shalt remember that thou art a companion- not
a bolt of lightning.
4. Thou shalt know that body language tells the truth.
5. Active listening is a golden time
and thou shalt not be judgmental
in thy listening.
6. Thou shalt not do for others what they can do for themselves.
7. Thou shalt not lose heart because of
repeated disappointments.
8. Thou shalt be aware that some people move in straight lines, others in fuzzy curves. Everyone is different. Thy protégé is not thy clone.
9. Thou shalt know thou can move a mountain- one stone at a time.
Golden Rule of Mentoring
“Thou shalt help protégés soar with
their strengths and manage their
weaknesses.”
9 Criteria for Personal Success:
Richard believes that success and happiness are self-defined. His own definition is based on these nine criteria:
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Do something intellectually challenging
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Work with leading-edge technology
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Work with people you like and respect, and who respect you
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Work on something that benefits mankind
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Solve problems on a personal basis for your fellow man
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Accomplish something important that hasn’t been done before
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Create a vision that others can understand and follow
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Create interesting career opportunities for others
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If all of the above are fulfilled, be financially successful
