--- title: "Make the Most of Mentoring: Drucker Loves CAKE!" description: What women in leadership need to know about The Missing 33% and how to make the most of mentoring image: https://www.leadingnow.biz/hs-fs/file-470493056-jpg/blog_images/cake_pie_salads.jpg --- [![LN-Logo-2021](https://www.leadingnow.biz/hs-fs/hubfs/ADMIN%20-%20All%20Brands/LN/LN-Logo-2021.png?width=147&height=80&name=LN-Logo-2021.png "LN-Logo-2021")](https://www.leadingnow.biz/) # Make the Most of Mentoring: Drucker Loves CAKE! 2 min read | [Susan Colantuono](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/author/susan-colantuono) - Share: - [Facebook ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/bid/75490/make-the-most-of-mentoring-drucker-loves-cake?utm_medium=social&utm_source=) - [LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/bid/75490/make-the-most-of-mentoring-drucker-loves-cake?utm_medium=social&utm_source=&title=Make+the+Most+of+Mentoring%3A+Drucker+Loves+CAKE%21) - [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/bid/75490/make-the-most-of-mentoring-drucker-loves-cake?utm_medium=social&utm_source=&url=https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/bid/75490/make-the-most-of-mentoring-drucker-loves-cake?utm_medium=social&utm_source=&source=tweetbutton&text=Make+the+Most+of+Mentoring%3A+Drucker+Loves+CAKE%21) - [Email ](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/bid/75490/make-the-most-of-mentoring-drucker-loves-cake?utm_medium=social&utm_source=%20&body=Check%20out%20https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/bid/75490/make-the-most-of-mentoring-drucker-loves-cake?utm_medium=social&utm_source=) ![PIE Mentoring](https://www.leadingnow.biz/hs-fs/file-470493056-jpg/blog_images/cake_pie_salads.jpg)In Dan Rockwell's recent blog revealing Peter Drucker's [9 Functions of a Mentor](http://leadershipfreak.wordpress.com/2014/05/14/peter-druckers-9-functions-of-a-mentor/), Rockwell lists 9 things a mentor should do. I wondered if he and, by extension, famed leadership theorist Drucker, were offering up [CAKE or PIE Mentoring™](http://www.leadingwomen.biz/blog/?Tag=Mentoring) ideas. Here's what I found: 1. “Define the landscape.” Focus on details to get things done – see the landscape to plot a course. Mentors are fresh eyes. **Could be either CAKE or PIE depending on the landscape being discussed.** 2. “Expose ‘white space’ – define opportunities – what is needed now.” Passion disconnected from meeting needs is wasted. Sincerity is not enough. **Could be either CAKE or PIE depending on the landscape being discussed.** 3. “Clarify strengths and capacities.” Tapping untapped strengths represents new directions, deeper fulfillment, and greater fruitfulness. **Sounds to me like the "A" in CAKE - Aptitude identifying** 4. “Identify incorrect assumptions.” Listen for limiting beliefs. **More CAKE, this time the "C" for - Confidence building** 5. “Encouragement to ‘go for it.’” Great mentors inspire action. Dreaming big is only a beginning. Dreams *without* action drain vitality and affirm helplessness. **Definitely the "E" in CAKE - Encouragement plain and simple.** 6. “Help sort out the right strategies.” Mentors bring strategic thinking to your personal strengths and individual passions. **Sounds to me like one of the "As" in CAKE - Aspiration identification** 7. “Affirm results.” Success creates focus, fuels motivation, and confirms direction. **Clearly the "C" in CAKE - Confidence building** 8. “Point out wasted effort.” *Stopping is harder than starting.* One the most challenging lessons in leadership is learning that trying harder doesn’t work, if you’re stuck. Mentors point out spinning wheels and flying mud. **Another one of the "As" in CAKE - Attitude adjusting** 9. Establish “gentle accountability.” Accountability in mentoring relationships is an agreement. It’s not imposed by dictatorial mentors. **Neither, this is a rule for the mentoring relationship.** What's the take-away? If you want to make the most of mentoring, you have to take conventional guidance about mentoring with a large dose of salt - especially if you can't find a slice of PIE! PIE Mentoring is the key to filling in [The Missing 33%®](http://www.leadingwomen.biz/blog/?Tag=The+Missing+33%25) and other key career success enablers. Lead ON!   [The Missing 33%®](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/the-missing-33) [Mentoring](https://www.leadingnow.biz/blog/topic/mentoring) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ### Subscribe #### Interested in seeing the latest insights on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion?   Stay up to date by subscribing to our blog. 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