The Mezzacello MENTERNS Tetrahedron of Character

A model Tetrahedron of character

This week is session two of my training regimen for the 2025 Mezzacello Urban Farm MENTERNS program. The MenTern (Mentor + Intern) program is a hybrid online and onsite training camp that teaches young students aged 9-14 years old innovative ways to build character, confidence, and mastery of their actions, intentions, and impacts. This is one tool I use to achieve that, the Mezzacello MENTERNS tetrahedron of character. View JPG Here.

The Basic Tenets

The triangle is the most stable geometric shape in our 4D (3D and 1D of time) universe. Thus it is fitting to create a triangular base of three regular physical, mental, and spiritual basics (Intention, Action, and impact) and have them mastered by focus. I find that the students respond positively to this model. It is easy to visualize and to build and hold.

The four trianular lattices also affords students to explore another benefit to the platonic solid: Self Reflection. The vertexes are set. But the planes between them are open to interpretation. I challenge the students to determine what skills they need to develop to achieve mastery in the four tenets of the character tertahedron. What would you call each of the green, orange, blue, and red faces> Let me know in the comments.

Make It Fun!

Not sure what kind of character we re building here, but it was fun to model.

When working with what I call curating character — especially with kids — you need to remind them that becoming a good human and a good leader can also be fun. It is NOT a zero sum game. There is room for grace, forgiveness, and mistakes. These are how we define the vertexes of the character tetrahedron. Ironically, the character tetrahedron is NOT a cage; It is a structure to instill a set of tools to build with.

In this photo, I willingly got into that cage. My head is pointed squarely at impact, while work is being done on action, and intention. Finally there is focus at the top watching and waiting to make sure everyone in this photo grows and feels loved and seen. This is all that I ask from leaders and kids that attend my camps. Make room for our humanity, but hold true to kindness and empathy too.