A real conversation

Today I took my bag and my bike to the bohemian quarters of the city to see someone I'm sure I will work with one day. It started years ago when I was given the assignment to evaluate his leadership programme. He was then a supplier and I was representing the client. Some years later I contacted him to discuss work opportunities. We agreed to stay in touch. And the next time I contacted him, it was in the role of a senior advisor.

A mentor without formal agreements, someone I have grown to trust. Someone without any stake in my decisions, and someone at least ten years my senior. I don't ask anything of him (except for an hour of his time), he doesn't try to sell me anything (and claims his reward lies in being a source of inspiration). It's a real conversation.

My intuition tells me there was a reason I was tasked with the evaluation project all those years ago.