Skip to Content
Author's profile photo Steve Rumsby

What does it feel like to be named an SAP Mentor?

A long time ago in a life far, far away I got involved in the development of an international standard for a programming language – C++.  The developers among you may have heard of it. It is the language used to write, among many other things, the NetWeaver kernel – the layer that sits between ABAP and the server operating system. When I went to my first meeting, there were a dozen other people already there, none of whom I knew. One of them was Bjarne Stroustrup – the guy who invented the language! And so discussions started. We were talking about faults in the language in the presence of its inventor. Imagine taking about faults in the design of HANA while Hasso Platner is in the room. I was overwhelmed with feelings of inadequacy. Why was I there? What could I possibly contribute? Surely these guys know so much more than I do about C++?

Fast forward 20 years and I have the same feelings again. I’ve known a few Mentors for a number of years now, I’ve met a few briefly, and I know many via SCN and Twitter. I respect and admire them all. They know so much about SAP and many other things, know how to apply that knowledge, and are so willing to share it all. And they’re all really nice people too! And now I’ve been asked to join them. It is, of course, and honour and a privilege to be asked. But who am I to be included in their number? What can I possibly contribute?

I was involved in the C++ standardisation process for 5 years. Over those years I got to know those scary, smart people quite well. Many of them became friends. I realised that although they were very smart, they didn’t know everything and that there were things I could contribute after all. Most importantly, I realised that they could occasionally get things wrong and that it was OK for me to get things wrong too, and that willingness to make mistakes would sometimes lead to great discoveries. And I contributed in more ways than I imagined. Looking back on those years I find I really enjoyed them. Looking forward from day one, though, I saw nothing of that.

I’m now at the start of a similar journey into Mentorship, but at least this time I’ve travelled a similar road and I know not to be too scared of it. While I may not yet know what form my contributions will take, I’m sure they will come. Maybe not immediately, but they will come. In the meantime, there’s fun to be had along the way. I’m looking forward to it. Mistakes included.

And remember, Mentors aren’t scary. Smart, yes, but scary, no. To mangle a quote from Finding Nemo – “Mentors are friends, not sharks”

Assigned Tags

      20 Comments
      You must be Logged on to comment or reply to a post.
      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member

      Steve - I am sure you will fit right in.

      The approach to give and share is very important and that is something you do with spades.

      Looking forward to bumping into you shortly - perhaps in Orlando.

      Author's profile photo Steve Rumsby
      Steve Rumsby
      Blog Post Author

      Orlando is looking unlikely, unfortunately. Looks like it will just be TechEd EMEA for me this year. I'll try and get next year planned a little better. I didn't get a lot of notice this time:-)

      And thanks for the encouragement. I appreciate it.

      Author's profile photo Mike Kerrigan
      Mike Kerrigan

      I've often wondered how SAP Mentors find the time?

      Author's profile photo Susan Keohan
      Susan Keohan

      Once you are officially mentorized, we boot up a HANA instance that clones you (so quickly, nobody even knows!) 

      Author's profile photo Steve Rumsby
      Steve Rumsby
      Blog Post Author

      I am so looking forward to that process. I really need another me.

      Author's profile photo Susan Keohan
      Susan Keohan

      Hi Steve,

      Sometimes your contributions can take interesting turns.  But the right attitude - the willingness to share (as Mark Chalfen noted) as well as the passion to represent the community?  That's the ticket.

      Welcome,

      Sue

      Author's profile photo John Moy
      John Moy

      Hi Steve,

      Very well said.  Oh, and congratulations!

      I agree.  We are all human.  No-one knows it all.  We are all enriched by your voice being in the 'conversation'.  But I won't say 'by adding' your voice to the conversation.  It has always been there, both here and on other channels such as Twitter. 

      Non-mentors reading this should take note ... Mentor or not, everyone has the opportunity to express their views 'at the table' already here on SCN.  Steve has been recognised for his contributions in this area and the expectation that he will continue to do so, but that does not mean your voices can't be heard.

      Cheers

      John

      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member

      Very well put by John. Active contributors to discussions, blogs, wikis or other content in this community are well recognized and really appreciated.

      Congratulations Steve. It sure is still an honor to join the SAP Mentor group, as they have a very good reputation and kinda have a responsibility in my opinion to make the community even better. You'll set a great example for sure!

      Author's profile photo Azeem Quadri Mohammed Abdul
      Azeem Quadri Mohammed Abdul

      We need more humble mentors like you.

      Author's profile photo Phani Rajesh Mullapudi
      Phani Rajesh Mullapudi

      I think it's a real Privilege to be an SAP Mentor! It's a totally respectable & honorary position!

      My Greetings & Warm Regards to all the Mentors!

      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member

      Steve - You're already on the right track. Congratulations!

      Author's profile photo Jim Spath
      Jim Spath

      No sharks, maybe, Steve, but there be blue fins about. 😀

      Welcome aboard.

      Author's profile photo Simon Kemp
      Simon Kemp

      Being in the same boat as you Steve I am feeling the same way. It is nice to hear your story about C++, it helps me too. I very much look forward to collaborating with you as a mentor.

      Author's profile photo J. Pazahanick
      J. Pazahanick

      Great to have you as part of the "Wolf-Pack" and having followed you on twitter and read your blogs over the past few years I have no doubt you are going to fit in well.

      Author's profile photo Graham Robinson
      Graham Robinson

      ...and that is why when new mentors ask what they should do they are told to "keep doing what you always do".

      Author's profile photo Nigel James
      Nigel James

      So glad you are in the team Steve. My favorite quote about being a mentor is "An SAP Mentor is about being a pain in the neck* in the best possible way"

      Just keep asking SAP and the community the painful questions just like Graham Robinson does: "Are you reading SCN blogs yet?" 

      * the actual quote used a different body part.

      Welcome.

      Author's profile photo Luke Marson
      Luke Marson

      Great job Steve and welcome to the Mentor program. Looking forward to catching up at some point.

      Best regards,

      Luke

      Author's profile photo Fred Verheul
      Fred Verheul

      Great blog post Steve!

      Being six months in I still have these same questions: how to contribute, how to make a difference between all these brilliant people, etc.

      And always having been a bit slow I suspect it will take me a while to really find my spot. But, meanwhile (love the way you express it):

      While I may not yet know what form my contributions will take, I'm sure they will come. Maybe not immediately, but they will come. In the meantime, there's fun to be had along the way. I'm looking forward to it. Mistakes included.

      Thanks!

      Cheers, Fred

      Author's profile photo Tom Cenens
      Tom Cenens

      Hi Steve

      Great writing and I'm very pleased to see you have become a SAP Mentor 🙂 , well deserved.

      Best regards

      Tom

      Author's profile photo Abdul Hakim
      Abdul Hakim

      Congrats