Unlock Your Full Potential: How Multiple Mentors Can Catapult Your Success

Everyone benefits from have a mentor in their life. At some stage in our lives, we have all had someone who we’ve looked to for guidance, helped us solve problems, make decisions, challenge us, and support us to realize our aspirations.  Data clearly demonstrates that we benefit from having a mentor. But here is the kicker. Having only ONE mentor could do more damage than good.

It hadn’t really resonated with me until I was researching this post that having just ONE mentor has some downside. Despite how well meaning and intentioned the mentor is, their advice will be tainted by their own experiences and baggage – and whether good or bad – this will also then become part of your journey. It’s a single point of view, and it will be biased.

The same will be true whether you have one or ten mentors, the difference though is you can gain a more valuable outlook by triangulating from multiple mentors.  No one mentor is going to be the expert you need for all the things you may need support with. The beauty of having more than one mentor is you can take bits and pieces of what each has to offer and decide for yourself what feels right for you and the thing you are seeking support and advice on.

Think about it from the point of view of being a newbie to dog agility, owing your first, second or third agility sport puppy, through to graduating up through the grades to competing at the top level, nationally or internationally.

“Every next level of your life will demand a different version of you”, which means as you grow and progress, your needs also change. Your first dog versus your upgraded third dog may offer you new challenges that your first dog didn’t. Whilst it is possible a single mentor could be an expert on everything you will ever need, it is unlikely, and is it fair? A great mentor will invest a lot of their time and energy in you.

If you flip this around and consider a portfolio of mentors, you will have access to a far wider range of support options and expertise. You avoid over burdening one person and will find you have the right people with the right knowledge and experience to help you navigate and solve problems as they come up.

The Solution

Build a support network of many mentors you can turn to and lean on. Each bring their own distinct skills and areas of expertise. This is otherwise known as your Personal Advisory Board.

Your personal advisory board of mentors is a powerful support network of experienced people who offer guidance, advice, and encouragement to help you maximize your growth in not only dog sports but in life. I think it’s important to assemble a team of mentors who have diverse expertise and perspectives. This ensures you have a comprehensive support system in place to navigate the challenges and opportunities that come your way. Where else would you have access to such a wealth of knowledge and experience. This can be a game-changer.

The side benefit of multiple mentors is the expansion of your network. Your mentors may be able to introduce you to new contacts, provide referrals, and open doors to new opportunities that you may not have otherwise had access to.

Mentors can vouch for your skills, experience, and character, which can be invaluable at times. They can also help you build your personal brand and reputation. Really a fantastic asset to have!

Mentor Mapping – Building the Network

It’s worth taking some time to rethink your approach to mentoring from one to many. What type of support will you need and who can fulfil those roles in your world?

1. Define your objectives: Clearly define your short and long-term goals and what you hope to achieve with the help of your mentors. This lays the groundwork for an authentic and meaningful connection that will create a support system around you.
2.  Make a list of the different types of support you will need: Think about the knowledge gaps you want to close and the skill you want to develop and refine. What connections do you need to make?
3. Identify potential mentors: Make a list of potential mentors based on their expertise, compatibility, and diversity. Do some research and learn about their background and what they have achieved.
4. Who already fulfills those roles? Who do you currently go to for support, guidance, and expertise? Under each category you’ve identified, write down as many names you can think of. Use this Mentor Map worksheet to help you Mentor Map Worksheet
5. Review your Mentor Map: What do you notice here? Some questions to get you thinking:

• Are there certain areas where you have plenty of people to help you? Why do you feel like you are able to access this type of support?
• Are there certain support needs where you lack trusted mentors? What are barriers that make it difficult to access this type of support?
• Are you relying on the same person to meet multiple needs? Are they the best person to be providing each type of support? Are they overburdened?
• Are you asking people for advice outside of their area of expertise? Are each of these people uniquely well suited to mentor you in the areas you’re relying on them?

Based on the answers to the above questions, you start to identify where you have missing mentors, and misplaced mentors. Perhaps there is a mentor in multiple areas. We would call them out as misplaced. With this knowledge, you can shift or remove mentors from certain areas of your Mentor Map.

6. Reach out: Approach potential mentors with a clear succinct explanation of your goals and why you value their expertise. Be open to feedback and open to building a relationship before you enlist their support. This must be a very transparent and honest relationship if it’s going to work.
7. Set clear expectations up front: Once your mentors have agreed to be a part of your advisory board, I feel it is very important to discuss expectations for communication and involvement.

Optimize your Mentors!

It’s equally important, once you have your mentors in place, that you make the most of the support and guidance they can provide.

• Stay accountable: Keep them updated with your progress, challenges, and successes. This helps to keep them engaged and invested in your growth.
• Be open-minded: Embrace the diverse perspectives and be open to feedback, even if it’s tough to hear. Adopt a growth mindset. Reflection and growth require and open mind and your willingness to make some changes.
• Apply their advice: Take action and implement the suggestions provided by your mentors. Head their advice. Monitor your progress and evaluate the impact of their guidance.
• Show gratitude: Always, without fail, express your appreciation for your mentors’ time, support, and guidance. Acknowledge their contributions to your progression and future successes.

When to call in the gang

Your advisory board can offer immense value; however, you don’t always need it. I think it’s important to recognize when you genuinely need this level of support.  That time will be different for everyone and will largely depend upon where you are in your journey, and what challenges you are working through. Consider calling in the team when:

• You are feeling stuck or uncertain in how to work through a dog training challenge or challenges.
• You want to develop new skills or improve existing ones.
• You’re moving up the grades – yikes! You’ve never been here before and suddenly you’re in with the top guns.
• Finding yourself in the unwanted limelight – call on your mentors to help you navigate a path forward.
• Perhaps you want to embark on a judging or training path – talk to your mentor group about what that would look like before you take the plunge.

I want to leave you with this final thought. Mentoring is a two-way street. You get out of it what you put in. Find your people and be conscious to ensure they don’t just hear from you in a moment of panic or on the verge of something huge! Invest in the relationship, cultivate it, nurture it, and it will become a mutually beneficial relationship over the long term.

I hope you've found this an interesting and thought provoking read. I'd love to hear your thoughts :) Don't hesitate to email me at [email protected]

About the Author 

Karen Morrison is a New Zealand Agility Champion and Jumpers Grand Champion. Owner of Karen Morrison Agility, Professional agility coach and seminar presenter throughout New Zealand. Karen loves working with individuals to help them achieve the skills, mindset, and confidence so they can keep moving up and doing the thing they love most with their canine partner. She can create a custom program designed for your unique needs and goals, with a focus on supporting you to develop the confidence and skills you need to be successful. Check out her website for more information Karen Morrison Agility