Some Doggone Awesome Mentoring and Coaching
They are cousins, aren’t they? I mean, mentoring and coaching.
We might look at mentoring as the bigger picture and coaching as the hands-on. The forest and the trees.
Of course, mentors also coach…and coaches mentor. They both encourage. And, they both bring out the best in their protege or student.
And, I’ve never seen a better example of both than in this video. It’s been going around YouTube lately and, if you’re an animal lover, you may have already seen it.
It features a scared foster puppy named Daisy trying to navigate some stairs, and her older and wiser foster brother…her mentor, her coach, her family member, her friend, Simon teaching and encouraging her all the way. (Be sure to watch the entire 1:44 minute video all the way to the end.)
Just a few of the lessons:
- Simon waits until he’s definitely needed. He doesn’t offer his help too quickly, first giving Daisy an opportunity to do it on her own.
- At first he simply provides a quick example.
- He continues to show the way, ever so patiently, even though Daisy isn’t quite getting it. But, he just keeps going. Even walking after her when it looks as though she wants to quit and walk away.
- Simon encourages, encourages, encourages.
- At the very end, he provides support so that Daisy knows she’s safe, while still having the opportunity to complete the task herself.
And, he expresses to Daisy how proud he is of her.
I’ve seen very few human mentors and coaches do it as well as Simon did. I’ve never seen myself do it as well as Simon did.
Any other lessons you see that I might have missed?
Bob, this is one of my favorite videos. I love all the points you made about mentoring, especially allowing the protege to make some first steps on her own. I am a firm believer we can learn as lot from dogs, i am grateful you pointed them out so well.
Hi Bob!
Wonderful video and lessons.
An interesting thing that Simon did was this: he went to where Daisy was and lead by example.
Often leaders (at point B) simply yell at their followers (at point A) saying: “Come here! Here is much better!”
The problem is that forgot to meet people where they are, see things the way they see it (as they once did) and lead them back to point B!
It’s worth to mention that Daisy wouldn’t go to point B, if she didn’t understand WHY she can’t stay at point A.
It’s a mix of knowing why we can’t stay where we are; why is a must for us to go somewhere else and why is it worthwhile for us to do so!
OMGGGGGG! This is SO cute and I love how you related it to coaching/mentoring. So many lessons! At no point did Simon pick up Daisy by the neck and carry her, which he easily could have. As a coach, I often struggle with that one. Thanks for this great example, Bob!
Hi Bob,
Thanks for sharing this with everyone. Its a great video and as you point out there are many learning points. I love the fact that Simon provides encouragement at the appropriate points. So much of coaching and mentoring is about encouragement and as Bruno points out, it is important someone understands why they are doing something.
Christie: Thank you. I found myself watching that video over and over again. Of course, part of it was because I love dogs so much and it was indeed an adorable video.
The other reason though, was because I kept seeing more and more of the lessons every time. The intuitive leadership ability of Simon is off the charts. Thank you for your comments!
Bruno: What a great point, my friend. He met her where SHE was at; not where he was at! And, loved your other comments, as well. Thank you for sharing!
That is one of the most impressive parts for me, it is intuitive for him. He just knows what to do.
Linda: Thank you. And, I think most of us struggle with the same feeling. What a great example that Simon set for all of us to be sure and resist that inclination and, instead help/teach/mentor/coach/lead without forcing them or disempowering them. Thank you for sharing with us!
Pete: Yes, he did seem to intuitively KNOW the appropriate points, didn’t he?! And, I agree with your thought on Bruno’s excellent point! Thanks for sharing!
Christie: I know. What has taken us a lifetime to learn (and, in my case, nowhere near mastering) he knew. He just knew. Amazing!
Aw, great video…too much K9 cuteness.
And I love how you connected mentoring/coaching. I was struck by Simon’s enthusiasm for helping…he REALLY wanted the little one to make it. I think Simon exemplifies what’s so rewarding about mentoring/coaching…how much joy you get from helping/watching others succeed. 
Sean: So glad you enjoyed it. Especially you being in the business of working with many of those amazing K9s. Yes, wasn’t Simon’s enthusiasm heartwarming and inspiring??!! Thank you for sharing with us!
What a great video and a blog! Thanks a lot! It was a perfect match between a coach and a student, just enough encouragement to a student who was ready! So sweet!
Sergey: Thank you for joining the conversation and for your very kind comment. I know; Simon was definitely awesome, wasn’t he? And little Daisy had a lot of heart. Great to have you with us. Feel free to stop by more often!
Wonderful! I love all of the points, lessons. I love that Simon saw a need and supported Daisy throughout her time of need.
Pamela: Thank you. I hear you and totally agree! Thank you for sharing with us!
Bob, I watched this several times and couldn’t help smiling and actually laughing a bit. Then I saw it: both of the dogs were wagging their tails – they were both enjoying the experience. That’s one more lesson in mentoring – have some fun.
Denis: Isn’t that awesome!? And, indeed, you just pointed out another very valuable lesson. (BTW, I just watched the video again this morning. I can’t seem to get enough of it) LOL
I love how you saw the parallels here! I watched this video with my daughter a couple of nights ago, and was so absorbed in the touching nature of Simon’s actions, that I totally missed the coaching/mentoring parallels. Thank you for sharing this. I’m going to pass it on to my business owners who are honing their skills in coaching employees.
Sabrina
Sabrina: Thank you. I really appreciate that a lot! Thank you for passing that along to your business owner clients. I hope they enjoy it and find it to be of value!
That’s fantastic. No jealousy of the new edition to the family and nobody had to ask him to help. His instinct was purely to give.
Thanks for sharing my friend
Greg: Wasn’t that too cool! I noticed that myself. Simon was definitely a “Level 5″ Leader; not threatened by those on his “team” but rather looking to help them (in this case, her) accomplish great things. Thank YOU for sharing your thoughts with us. And, again, thank you for being the main sponsor at last week’s event in Spokane. So enjoyed meeting you. It was obvious from the attitudes of those on your team that YOU are indeed a top leader, greatly respected by your team.
Bob, super story behind the video – wonderful job. So while you might not be able to teach an old dog new tricks; an old dog can still teach what the young ones need to know!
It reinforces the notion that teamwork begins when someone decides to help others.
Thanks
Tom: WOW – what a great way of putting it! Thank you for sharing with us!
Bob,
Great video! Mentoring we show how we would do it and coaching we suggest how it should be done.
Larry: Thank you. Much appreciated!
Thank you very much,Bob, for the great video! Absolutely love it! I’d call this fine example of life lesson- leading with loving kindness. When we love someone deeply, we just know how to teach the best way. And as we’ve just seen love is patient, understanding, thoughtful. I also learn a lot from my dog who taught me to be a better person. Thank you very much,Bob, for a kind sharing.
Olga: My pleasure. I’m so very glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us!