Kevin Frick is an annual contributing author for En Root, and a dynamic leader in education. We always find it so inspiring to learn about his latest endeavors, whether it's his most recent marathon, speaking engagement, or published piece. He is an avid supporter of OutGrowth, and an intentional designer of life and career. Devoted to the personal and professional development of others, Kevin is all about empowering others to thrive, which is why he provides so much value in the area of mentorship.
In this rapid-fire Q+A, we learn about Kevin's story as a mentor and mentee, and the priceless lessons he has gained along the way.
Learn more about Kevin's approach to mentorship, and how you can get started on your journey, in his latest En Root feature, A Model of Initiating Mentor Relationships.
Happy reading!
What inspired you to become a mentor?
A strong desire to see everyone succeed as their authentic selves.
At OutGrowth, we are committed to giving access. Tell us about how your approach to mentorship provides access to those you serve.
I provide access to "possibility" by spending time imagining new possibilities with those I mentor. I listen. I process. I suggest. I leave it to them to consider. But we spend a lot of time talking about things that could be imagined.
Tell us about a pinnacle point or moment in your personal or professional life when you were impacted as a mentee.
I had been approached to consider a move from a different university. While I didn't move, the dean who had approached me became a mentor. In our first informal conversation, she sat across from me and told me that I might consider becoming a provost. That inspired me to begin a journey to think more concretely than I ever had before about what comes next in my career, and to think about how to structure my professional and personal life to achieve that.
How did this experience change the course of your life, your career or your outlook?
It prompted me to begin a multi-year process of figuring out what I did want and what I **did not** want to do. Both are important. Being completely honest with oneself about what is on each list is important. Recognizing where my leadership skills would and would not work is important.
What are your top three pieces of advice for students and professionals who are looking for a mentor/mentee relationship as a means of staying dedicated to their own growth?
Find ways to interact regularly, not just in the workplace, but with people who are further along in their careers. Don't be afraid of being mentored by people who are not in jobs "just like yours" or not in your field. People with all backgrounds have great life lessons to share. Look for a mentor who is just as curious about you as you are about them.
If you could go back in time and give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Don't think you have to have it all figured out so soon.
What is your favorite quote?
"All real living is meeting."--Martin Buber
Based on your professional experience, what are the top three career competencies that you believe can be gained/developed as a result of a mentor/mentee relationship?
1. Intentional Listening
2. Giving Constructive Feedback
3. Challenging Constructively
What's next? What are your next steps toward growth in 2020?
To bring the creativity I show in my personal life to bear in my professional life. This doesn't mean that I will write poems to inform my team about what is next for the business school. However, that process of thinking outside the box )and capturing the importance of expression that drives me to write poetry) can be channeled to think about problem-solving at the business school.
Kevin Frick is the Vice Dean for Education at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School where he teaches Frameworks for Analyzing Health Care Markets and still participates in some research. Additionally, Kevin provides leadership to the Offices of Admissions, Academic Advising, Program Administration, Student Services, Career Development, Experiential Learning, Registrar, and Institutional Data and Analytics. He has given talks on mentoring for TEDxJHUDC, the United Way of Central Maryland Emerging Leaders United conference, and the Penn State MHA mentoring program kickoff for 2019. He also enjoys running, poetry writing, baking, and being a father of three.