My Father, My First Mentor
The Mentors Who Made Me
This post is a bit different from my usual morning apples. It’s longer, unnumbered, and it comes out on Saturday, a day I usually don’t post. I have a special reason for this. A celebration of a special moment in my life that I want to celebrate with you.
I co-wrote a book about mentoring. It's titled "Becoming the Mentor," and it's not your typical book on the subject. This one is a novel. It's the journey of a man who finds himself stuck and finds his way through and out by evolving with the help of a Mentor.
Writing this book has been a journey in itself. I wanted to make it as authentic and real as possible. To do so, I had to dig deep into my own experiences and stories. This exploration into my personal and professional past made me reconnect with the many mentors who helped me become who I am today. This book, as most of the things I have achieved in my life, wouldn't be possible without their presence, model, inspiration, and teachings. So, to celebrate the book's release, I've decided to celebrate the men and women who, knowingly or unknowingly, have been precious gifts in my life.
Every Saturday morning, I’ll post here about the mentors who made me.
Starting with my late father, Renzo.
My Father, My First Mentor
My father was a hard worker and an entrepreneur. He couldn't spend much time with us when I was a child—there were debts and bills to pay. But whenever I needed help, I could always rely on him being there. No matter what.
However, it was only when I started working for his company that I finally got to truly see and know him. I worked for him all summer breaks throughout my high school years, and later on, I joined him anytime I could while in college. My father didn't speak much and rarely tried to teach me anything. He showed me the way, though. He was kind to everyone. In my eyes, he was the boss, right? Yet, he was humble and kind to everyone, even those who weren't with him. At that time, I was too young to fully understand, but he silently taught me that true strength is found in fairness and kindness. That doing the right thing is more important than being right. A lesson that I try to live by every day.
However, his biggest lesson came years later.
While I was growing up, he never pushed me or forced my choices about what to study. Yet, I always knew that in his heart, he was hoping for me to take his place in the company he built. Unfortunately, I couldn't. I thought about it, but I knew in my heart that it wasn't my story, even if I couldn't explain why. My father never complained or held a grudge. He never made me feel bad about it. He just supported my choices. Even the ones he couldn't understand.
When it was time to retire, he decided to sell his company to his partners. Indeed, that was the most reasonable choice. What surprised me, though, was the conversation we had about it. I was worried he would talk about what it could have been had I taken a different path. Instead, he told how grateful he was for his kids not being part of the company, so he was free to move forward. Sure, there was a bit of sadness for a story coming to an end, but also the acknowledgment that he did his part, and that was enough.
What a lesson. That day, he taught me the power of non-attachment, the strength that comes from doing your best where you are and with what you have. And then to move on. To the next thing.
That was his entrepreneurial spirit.
Always looking forward.
These lessons from my father—the leading by example, the strength in kindness, the freedom that comes from doing my best, and the courage to always look forward—have shaped how I approach my work and relationships today. Looking back, I recognize that he has created the foundation that led me to become the mentor I am today.
That's my father's true legacy.
The one he left in the hearts of everyone who met him.
The one he left me.
My father has been my first great mentor.
Who was your first mentor? What have you learned from them?
If you want to read more stories about my mentors, please subscribe to One Apple A Day. This summer, I’ll share a new mentoring story every Saturday morning.
The book I wrote with Rossella Pin, “Becoming the Mentor: Two Lives, One Journey, A Million Gifts,” will be available from the 30th of June. In the meantime, if you want to know more about the book or about mentoring, join us in The Gift Book Club, a weekly space for real conversations, shared growth, and mentoring insights.
🗓️ We meet every Wednesday.