Mentor Is Meant To Be Plural
A single mentor should not be counted on to give insight to all areas of your life. Here’s why it’s important to fill a stable of mentors. #DailyMight
If one is good, more is better. None of the people currently in your life have expert insight to everything moving within in. Fill your mentorship stable with multiple mentors (including books, articles, training) – each adding value and support in areas of your life that they can advise on. #DailyMight
I’ve loved sports since I started remembering things. As soon as I was done playing I knew I would eventually make the transition to coaching. As a player, I had some strong coaches that helped mentor me in the game I loved. When I made the transition from player to coach, I had the audacity to think I knew it all. I don’t want you to make the same mistake I did early on.
I can say now as a veteran coach 15+ years, looking around the current coaching landscape, new coaches are struggle to adapt to the ever changing sports landscape. It’s evident that we need mentorship now more than any other time in youth sports. When I was starting out, I had a small circle of coaches (friends) who unbeknownst to me were giving me career making advice. You see, I lucked into mentorship when I started coaching – I wasn’t searching for it. I had a pocket of people, a hype squad, giving me the gift of passing on their coaching advice and wisdom. The gift however, wasn’t that I was receiving the advice (which I am grateful for), the gift was that I had a group of guidance givers giving me valuable insight. Each were experts in their own area and helped develop me into the coach I am today.
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Seeking out mentorship as a coach is as important as having the knowledge to actually coach (and trust me, just because you where good at a sport doesn’t mean you’ll be a good at coaching the sport). Mentorship takes place when one person desires to emulate the life of another – including personal patterns and habits of the mentor. Jesus mentored his disciples by training them to live as he lived, so they could thrive in his absence. Jesus understood that it would take a group. You should too.
I’ve benefited greatly by the stable of knowledgeable mentors in my coaching circle of influence. I’m not ashamed to ask for help, and I am self aware enough to understand that I’ll continue to need help. If one mentor is good (and it’s a strong start), more is better. A single mentor should not be counted on to give insight and support of all areas of your coaching needs. Fill a stable of mentors to ensure you’re rounding out your coaching philosophy by seeking and using their advise. And remember, mentors can come from the written word too. Don’t be afraid to dive into books, articles, online training – whatever you can to gather the information needed to be successful. Good luck to you.
Give everything your everything. And then some.
If you’d like, connect with me on Twitter and Facebook, where I’ll share near daily insight on helping you navigate youth sports.
If you’d like, connect with me on Twitter and Facebook, where I’ll share near daily insight on helping you navigate youth sports.
