Mentee becoming the mentor – practising the pinnacle level of leadership
Empowerment is that feeling of “I have done it“ and as a result the trust and confidence in myself that I can do it again, overcome other challenges along the way and take on the unknown. Especially this summer I felt very empowered as I had many opportunities where I had to overcome challenges. From riding trails I have never been on or only once and this time as lead guide and being responsible for a a big group to driving the horse trailer and fixing trucks. All those experiences helped me to build confidence in myself.
At the Ranch we live in an egalitarian culture. Nobody has fixed roles, but roles are based on skills, knowledge, responsibility and initiative-taking. So when multiple things need to be done it is not the man or the woman doing a certain role, it is the one who has the skills and knowledge and takes responsibility for it. This way we can work together as a well-oiled machine which is not only empowering but also motivating. When I first came to the Ranch I remember doing a lot of cooking, cleaning and office work. I did not have many other skills that I could contribute to other activities. But over time I got a lot of diverse exposure allowing me to expand my skills and to contribute to diverse activities.
For example, each year we have to change the break pads on the trucks that pull the horse trailer. I missed a few opportunities to learn it. But this year I took initiative and asked to be part of it. I was shown on the first break pad and got to apply it already on the second break pad. When I needed to change the break pads on my own truck I knew what to do. Just like I had been shown, I invited other community partners to join me and participate. Sometimes opportunities come and go here so fast that both mentor and mentee need to take responsibility for the opportunities. As a mentor it is important to share the availability of an opportunity. For a mentee it is important to be clear on ones interest and being conscious when opportunities that align arise. I was able to teach the other community members through the process. I got stuck at one point, but I had a safety net. The community partner who had taught me was close by. Being conscious he knew exactly when the right moment was to come over and help me figure out what I had done wrong. When I changed the break pads on the third truck, I was independent and capable and got the job done without needing my safety net. It felt empowering knowing that I could not only look after myself, my own truck, but also contribute by maintaining the Ranch vehicles and equipment. This also exemplifies the pinnacle leadership stage as described by Maxwell. When the mentee becomes the mentor, it does not only help with the mentees learning process, it allows the mentor to be freed up for other things as the mentee is now capable. But also the mentee becoming the new mentor not only empowers them but also the new mentee which empowers the whole organization and increases the overall big picture success.
But not only did I experience this pinnacle stage of leadership when changing the car breaks. There were many other situations as well. I went to set up camp and ride trails that made me hold my breath together with a guide in training. I knew that I had to put all my trust in myself of finding the trails I’ve only been once or even never before. There was no safety net this time. I was conscious that sometimes I got caught up in the mindset of getting the job done or needed a moment to figure things out myself, especially when I lost confidence. But going through this experience I became more conscious and aware of it. And together with the other guide we would reflect on it. I consciously take a moment to figure things out for myself without the pressure of explaining it at the same time. Once I had it figured out, I took a moment of explaining not only what I was doing but also my thought process that helped me figure it out. Going through this process I gained more confidence and was able to set up others for success by leading from behind, following the graduate program that had helped me.
With each experience I am becoming more conscious of the opportunities not only for myself, but also for others. When I took initiative to take the CORE course I also asked asked for the PAL Course. Though I had it I knew others did not have it yet. Looking at the big picture of more people knowing and having skills empowers everybody. So if more people had the PAL, more people would be able to teach our guests about safe gun handling and target shooting. Which would free me up for other things and empower others in sharing their new knowledge. When the PAL dates where right on a very busy weekend for us, I did not hesitate in sharing that opportunity. Knowing the benefit for the big picture, I was willing to put more work on myself as I would be the only one holding down the fort and preparing everything for our big trip as well as doing the introductory ride with 7 people. But having this mindset is the only way we can ensure to work on the pinnacle level of leadership and to ensure the continuation of our environment.
Lea D. , Germany
