From MILITARY to MENTORING

From MILITARY to MENTORING

Story by Clare Erasmus

A hero is somebody who is selfless, who is generous in spirit, who just tries to give back as much as possible and help people. A hero to me is someone who saves people and who really deeply cares.

Kane Middleton is an inspiring ex-military man, quietly determined to shape the lives of youth who have led troubled pasts and experienced disruptive lives. His strong physical exterior appearance houses a compassionate heart of humanitarian drive and desire. His work and life experiences in the New Zealand Army and private security consultancy has equipped him with a vast array of knowledge and skills that position him to mentor others. These days, Kane has hung up his military uniform and he now has the vision to provide valuable mentorship to others. This humble man truly defines altruism, eager to promote the welfare of others.

With Kane’s career history embedded in the military service spanning over 20 years, he has a wealth of global knowledge and skills which he accumulated throughout his time in the army. Today he insists on giving back to the community. His time in the army equipped him with not only the technical skills to protect and serve his country, but also the skills to identify and read people and situations well. Kane has also been involved in working around the world in security within the commercial mining industry, as well as working events with a global music icon and a leading IT exponent. Kane thrives when empowering others, guiding them while providing strong, sound leadership, this translates into personal confidence, strong discipline and a sense of self-belief in those he mentors. The military shaped Kane’s life as a young man and he is now determined to give this opportunity to others.

“The military provided me with a set of ‘road rules’ that gave me a deeper understanding of self-discipline, self-respect and perseverance. It taught me about the benefits of commitment and hard work. I learned about tenacity, grit, teamwork and how to be driven to achieve. These have been valuable life skills both in the army and life beyond.'

Kane Middleton

New Zealand

Kane’s military deployment took him worldwide for two decades. He has since decided to put away his military uniform and rifles, and initiated a start-up business, Automotive Components Refinishing.

Kane’s current business provides specialist and comprehensive services to the automotive, power sports, marine and aviation sectors. With his astute attention to detail and commitment to service, his team provides exceptional service to his customers, delivering restoration to components with isotropic super finishing, performance ceramic paints, vapor blasting and powder coating and paint. Kane’s vision is to create a platform where at-risk youth can take advantage of being a part of a team, growing their self-confidence, self-belief, grit and determination. Kane suggested,

“I would like to be able to give someone hope and self-belief. Self-belief is a real game changer. If I can ignite this in at-risk youth then it could radically alter their life chances, which ultimately means that they have opportunities to improve their quality of life. This impacts not only themselves but those around them. It is profoundly important that they are able to recognise their inner strength and sense of determination to take on challenges and push through. Sometimes challenges blur solutions. However, when equipped with the ‘tools’ of hope, self-discipline, and self-respect, other avenues to reaching solutions become more apparent.”

Kane highlighted that the sense of belonging, the idea of working as a team and developing secure sound relationships, is key to the development of social identity. Social identity provides purpose and group and self-value.

“Working in a team develops mutual respect. Everyone has a part to play. Team membership creates an understanding of reliability and it can impact others. A strong sense of social and individual identity can change who you think you are and how you perceive and relate to others. It can affect your self-worth and how you define yourself. The army taught me the value of teamwork. Through teamwork, so much can be accomplished. It is a great privilege to be able to educate and instill these values and ideologies into at-risk youth.”

Kane’s passion for mentoring and inspiring others is evident. His face lights up when he talks about his aims and goals. It is clear that his life experiences in the New Zealand Army ignited his desire to reach out to the community and make a valuable difference in the lives of others. He is clear in his direction; knowledgeable in how it can eventuate; and skillful in how he can facilitate hope, self-belief, self-respect and discipline.

“I want to reach out to organizations that deal with at-risk youth and offer opportunities to help turn lives around. I’m keen to have a few young people come in, work with me, and learn a few skills along with a few life lessons. I am confident that this will positively affect their life chances. I feel like the army equipped me with the tools for life and the road rules to live a full life. If I mentor others, I feel that this would create a ‘flow-on’ effect too, with them wanting to give back to the community through helping others.”

Kane Middleton is a humble humanitarian, a real change-maker, sporting an attitude of generosity with his time and life skills. He is one of New Zealand’s unsung heroes with his vision to reach across communities. He has a heart of passion and consideration, and a desire to truly make a difference in the lives of others.

At eYs Magazine, we salute you, Kane. Thank you for making a difference and empowering others.

As war-time leader and military-man, Winston Churchill, observed that,

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

About the Author: Clare is an author and educator, living locally in Christchurch. She is the Executive Director of eYs SDG’s World Council. She has written books for both educators and children. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Sociology and Legal Studies), Bachelor of Arts Honours (Sociology), Masters of Social Science, Bachelor of Education, Certificates in both TEFL and TESOL and is currently undertaking her PhD in Education).

Clare Erasmus

Executive Director eYs SDGs World Council, eYs Magazine New Zealand