Finding your place in helping others
An invitation to rediscover the heart of mentorship. For anyone who has ever poured into another person, to those who have wondered whether they should, and even those who have wondered whether they were qualified to.
Buy the book — R300 Explore the map →What comes to mind when you hear the word mentor?
For many of us it's been reduced to programmes, platforms, and quick-tip experts — shaped more by expectations than human connection. If that's the picture in your head, it's no wonder so many people quietly count themselves out.
But mentorship has never been about systems or scale. At its heart it's far simpler, and far harder: seeing potential in someone before they can see it themselves, and choosing to walk with them through the messy, sacrificial, beautifully unpredictable journey that follows.
Drawing on personal stories, biblical insight, and practical frameworks, Before You Call Yourself a Mentor is an invitation to rediscover the heart of mentorship. For anyone who has ever poured into another person, to those who have wondered whether they should, and even those who have wondered whether they were qualified to.
Not a step-by-step guide. An invitation — to show up, to invest, and to reclaim the heart of mentorship.
There's no single right way to mentor. The map helps you see where you sit across 16 dimensions of mentorship — from formal or informal, to short-term or long-term — compare your view with a mentor, mentee, team or leader, and add your perspective to a growing collective.
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A collection of fine art prints that bring the spirit of the book onto the wall. Each image was shot on an anamorphic lens especially for this project — cinematic, imperfect and quietly contemplative — and is available as a large-format print to live with.
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Richard Gorven has spent over two decades mentoring young people. A creative communicator based in Durban, South Africa, he holds a degree in Communication Science and serves as Creative Director of Trulife, a non-profit helping school-going students make brave choices that lead to better futures. He also works as a creative with the Global Leadership Network International, capturing stories of impact and change around the world, and sits on the GLS Next Gen Leadership Team.
For more than ten years Richard was on staff at a local church — leading creative ministries, lecturing at Bible college, and serving as a youth leader. Through his career he has worked with various corporates, NPOs and music groups, and spent time touring as a musician. Beneath all of it runs one simple commitment: developing young people.
Richard is married to Roxy, and together they are raising two daughters, Hallie and Josie.
Follow Richard's journey on Instagram @beforeyoumentor.