We all recall memorable tales of mentors and their students, such as Yoda and Luke Skywalker, Mr. Miyagi and the Karate Kid, and of course there is Chad and Tia.
There comes at time in every Mentor/Mentee relationship where the Mentee begins to grow in experience and confidence, such that a move towards independence seems inevitable.
The relationship must change as the dynamic evolves. Respect continues, but there seems to no longer be a need for constant reassurance from the “Master”.
How a mentor deals with the protege’s quest for independence may vary. Some may deal with this in a subtle fashion, while others simply throw down the gauntlet and challenge the student to a duel.
An example of that would be the Mentor taunting the Mentee via text or e-mail about how they’re gonna kick someone’s butt in tomorrow’s WOD. Judging from the scores on today’s board, notated in hot pink, it looks like the Mentee took the Mentor out to the woodshed this morning.
Take heart Chad, I still sit at your feet, eager to learn what you have to teach me. But of course, Tia’s status as another Mentor of mine is on the rise. See you tomorrow and we’ll do it all again.
I’ve been trying to come up with a response to this but all I can say is that no matter how much I improve I will always find reassurance necessary in this mind game of a sport that I am addicted to and I welcome a duel ANYTIME!!!