Why Mentorship Is MORE Than Personal Development!
In this blog article, we hear from Lavanya Sirsikar, a strength and conditioning coach from India who was fortunate to receive sponsorship from TeamBuildr to join the S&C group mentorship program. Without this support, Lavanya wouldn't have had the opportunity to develop at such a rapid pace. Today, I've asked her to reflect on her experiences so far to give readers an understanding of the benefits of an immersive personal development programme.
"We are only a couple of months into the mentorship, and it has already been extremely rewarding," Lavanya shares. "Dan has created a platform where strength coaches can connect, brainstorm, and collaborate on various performance subjects. The forums provided not only facilitate technical discussions but also cover non-technical areas like soft skills, interview preparations, mental health, and leadership. It's a fantastic way to leverage the network and learn from our peers!"
Each mentorship pathway consists of six core topics each requiring monthly group discussions among the mentees. A significant theme throughout every learning experience is the emphasis on sharing and collaborating as a group. With 15-20 practitioners often in each cohort, there becomes a wealth of diverse perspectives to learn from.
"The program opens up opportunities to learn from coaches worldwide," Lavanya continues. "One big takeaway from our first session was hearing coaches open up and share their thoughts, processes, and philosophies. Dan encourages reflective practice after each live session, sometimes with tasks or specific questions. After the initial session, we were challenged to develop a principled-based approach to decision-making. It forced me to think deeply about clarity in my principles to build my practice."
Lavanya emphasizes the importance of reverse engineering programs, a process that provides structure and clarity in program planning. "Through this mentorship, Dan provides a framework to help develop our processes and be more confident in making professional decisions," she adds.
Additionally, the mentorship urges mentees to introspect their processes and philosophies continually. The frameworks provided across pathways prompt mentees to dig deep and gain clarity on their approaches. Tasks for mentees such as completing a GAP analysis on their performance environments are seamlessly integrated into the program. The concept of human connection is woven into each core session, fostering a sense of camaraderie among mentees. Bonus content sessions featuring guest speakers like Ryan King, Mike Main, and Ben Young offer added value and insights into various aspects of performance training.
Mentorship plays a vital role in helping practitioners avoid common mistakes and find solutions with ease. Lavanya notes:
"There are usually two ways to learn and gain experience: by making mistakes ourselves or by learning from others. This mentorship has accelerated my growth and learning. "This mentorship serves as a key asset to every strength coach's arsenal of knowledge," she concludes. "It creates a platform for peers to share ideas and learn from experts in the profession. I can't wait to continue the journey."
A huge thank you to Lavanya for sharing her experiences, and importantly to Teambuildr for their support. If you are interested in joining future cohorts starting in July, please check out the pathways available and fill out the expression of interest form, using the buttons below!
