Parasitic mentees, on the other hand, do the exact opposite of what is expected. They fail to read the times and circumstances. They do not understand that the mentor will not always be available to them. They are professional procrastinators. They are also very proud individuals who often end up comparing themselves to the mentor.

I once had an experience with someone I helped. Just because they had reached a certain level of success, they began to act insolently and became full of themselves. This is the type of person who, after reading two books bought at an international conference, starts presenting themselves as a leadership expert, according to John Maxwell.

A parasitic mentee is someone who is slow to take action. They tend to listen passively without taking notes. This attitude demonstrates that they do not fully value, or are not even aware of, the quality of wisdom they are receiving.

In personal development, note-taking is essential. Jim Rohn, one of the greatest financial philosophers, often emphasized the power of note-taking during his lifetime. Successful people always have several notebooks. They keep a journal they fill in day by day.

This habit has made a big difference in my life. When I listen to teachings on YouTube or in podcasts, I always take notes. Although I am a mentor, I also have mentors in fields like prophecy, business, fitness, and nutrition, among others. And I always keep my notes.

I even have a dedicated notebook where I write down the words of a great prophet who inspires me and possesses gifts I wish to develop. He is a mentor to me. I’ve dedicated an entire notebook to him, with his name engraved on the cover. I’ve promised myself to show him my notebook if I ever meet him in person somewhere in the world.

The parasitic mentee exhibits the traits of a poor student. They are irritating and disappointing. They seek to bask in the mentor’s fame. They hover around the mentor to become recognized. They’ve seen the mentor from afar—on public appearances, on TV, radio, media, press, the internet, TikTok videos, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube—and they want to appear alongside them. They crave a share of the spotlight, the glory. They know that being seen with their mentor will bring recognition. They will be sought after, boosting their personal brand. In reality, they don’t care about learning; they care about the veneer. They disregard the process and desire only the peak and the prestige.

The Case of Hitler

Let me share the story of Hitler. Adolf Hitler suffered greatly because of his father, who wanted him to become a state civil servant, as was the case for many young men in Germany.

Contrary to his father’s plans, Hitler wanted to become a great painter. At one point, he tried to join the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts but was rejected. After his father’s death, he tried again and failed once more.

The Vienna Academy of Fine Arts was led by powerful Jewish figures. This is where Hitler began harboring anti-Semitic sentiments, as he recounts in his book Mein Kampf. When he saw Jews in the streets of Vienna, he felt a strong urge to harm them. This became the seed for the genocide that claimed the lives of six million Jews. It stemmed from the wound caused by the rejection of his artistic dream.

However, here’s the question historians have asked about Hitler: “Was Hitler that good?” He exterminated millions because he was not allowed to express his talent. But was he truly that talented? Was he unfairly rejected? Experts delved into his case, studying his work, and concluded that Hitler was not meticulous in his craft. While he had artistic talent, he did not work hard enough. He only did the bare minimum.

In his paintings, one could see reproductions of temples, houses, and monuments, but the work was very basic. It lacked depth. In an artist’s work, one can sense their soul and the levels of complexity they achieve. Through layers of paint, brushstrokes, and lighting effects, the precision and refinement show how far the artist has gone.

Expert analysis of Hitler’s work revealed mediocrity. Further investigation into his life showed that he pursued art just to gain recognition. He didn’t train enough. He wanted to enter the Vienna Academy simply to gain fame.

Similarly, some mentees desire to be seen with mentors solely to be acknowledged. But when it comes to working hard, they don’t follow through. They are superficial, simplistic in their approach, and unwilling to delve deeply into their work. Yet, we know that to maximize one’s potential, one must work hard, long, and thoroughly on a subject.

I often see people surprised at their lack of success, but when their expertise and skills are evaluated, it’s clear they don’t measure up. A parasitic mentee repeatedly asks the same questions, even after receiving answers a week, two weeks, or even two months earlier—a clear sign that they haven’t taken action…

This excerpt is from the book THE POWER OF A MENTOR written by WILLIAM DJAMEN.

We invite you to read the next article, “A BEAUTIFUL LESSON IN LEADERSHIP”.

THE PARASITIC MENTEES. THE PARASITIC MENTEES. THE PARASITIC MENTEES.