Life Lessons from one of my Mentors: Dr TGK Oosthuizen

Mentors can change the journey of your life, not just by modelling skills but by sharing invaluable life lessons.  Over time, the following lessons shaped how I work, relate to others, and approach challenges:

1. Autonomy

Taking ownership of your tasks is fundamental.  When you embrace autonomy, you build confidence and show that you can be trusted to deliver results without micromanagement.  It also fuels personal growth and creativity.

2. Team player

No matter how talented you are, success rarely comes alone.  Being a good team player means supporting others, communicating openly, and valuing collective goals above individual glory.

3. Consequence Management

Every action has consequences, good or bad.  Learning to own up to mistakes and understanding the impact of your decisions is a powerful way to build credibility and trust.  Importantly, you also need to apply consequence management fairly and consistently.

4. Work just as hard on the same goals

A team that works hard together achieves more.  Matching the effort of those around you shows commitment and respect, fostering a positive and productive environment.

5. Be humble

When you’re humble, you’re open to learning, admitting when you don’t know something, and valuing other’s input.  It’s a quality that leaders and collaborators cherish.  It also helps when working through failures and wrong decisions, because humbleness keeps shame from overtaking you or breaking your self-confidence.

6. Relationships

Building and nurturing connections with colleagues, clients, and mentors lays the foundation for trust and opportunity.

7. Systems

Having solid systems and processes in place ensures consistency and efficiency.  It’s about creating environments where everyone knows their role.

8. Be willing to get involved

Don’t wait for things to happen, be proactive.  Getting involved means showing initiative, stepping up to challenges, and being part of solutions rather than spectators or complainers.

9. Detail focused habits or Organized habits

While sometimes seen as a challenge, certain obsessive-compulsive traits like attention to detail, organization, and persistence can be great assets when balanced well.  They help maintain high standards and drive continuous improvement.

10. Work in a way that makes you proud

Strive to do your work with such integrity, effort, and consistency that you can genuinely feel proud of it.  It’s about knowing you gave your best and that your contribution carries meaning.

I found when I strive to live these lessons out daily, they shape not only my professional path but also my character.  A mentor doesn’t just share knowledge, they live it, and through working with them, you develop the same habits, values, and strengths.

Mariet Terblanche