Passing the Baton
- Jude is passing her horse sense to Bo. Good for Jude, Bo, horses, clients and the industry.
Once someone becomes a Master in their field, they often feel a desire to pass on their expertise.
This mentoring ‘completes the circle’ of their journey from novice to expert.
It’s good for them and good for humanity.
It’s also very good for business.
But only if everyone plays.
All Your Eggs
When getting to know a new client, one of my penetrating briefing questions is:
What would happen to your business if you died tonight?
Around 85% say their business would die with them.
Given how few businesses survive, and how much effort it takes to build and maintain a good one, it seems a shame to link a firm to its founder’s fate.
You wouldn’t dare present Cats without lead role understudies.
Why should your business deserve less?
Putting Yourself Out
I once spent two years teaching my friend Adam everything I knew about English, writing, business and client service.
As Adam has brains and charm by the truckload, it wasn’t long before clients sought him by name.
Then he started systemising my business in a way I never thought possible.
Then he started editing my work and teaching me English!
My skills (and Empire fortunes) blossomed under Adam’s tutelage.
Until he needed more than the Empire could offer.
Double-Edged Sword
Biting my tongue till it bled, I gave the glowing reference Adam deserved.
His new boss acknowledged my pain at relinquishing such a gifted associate.
The vessel of all my knowledge was gone.
I wasn’t back to Square One, but I was alone again. I’d learned that:
- Trainees teach you (at least) as much as they learn.
- Training them doesn’t mean you get to keep them.
Changing Times
In the good old days, apprenticeships were plentiful.
An employer could take on a youngster knowing that, if they chose to leave at the end, there were others doing likewise from other firms.
After some musical chairs, everyone got what they wanted.
During my human resources career, I watched this ‘all-in’ system collapse (amid strident warnings from those who saw Australia’s future).
The titanic salaries of the last mining boom revealed our dearth of skilled people.
Like emission targets, no-one wants to train young people unless everyone’s doing it.
The penalties for kind souls who press on regardless seem dire.
Risky Business
One such soul is Jude Oldmeadow (on the right in Judy McEachern’s photo).
In theory, trainee Bo Lou Nolten could take Jude’s expertise to an arch rival, or set up in competition herself.
Despite this risk, Jude is pouring her knowledge into Bo at a phenomenal rate.
She’s focusing on what goes around, without any guarantee of what may come around.
I think this is noble.
Bo thinks it’s incredible (as you’ll see from her passionate perspective).
Perhaps unstinting generosity and unbounded confidence are the signs of a True Master.
Are you a Master?
Are you passing the baton?
If not, why not?
Paul Hassing, Founder & Senior Writer, The Feisty Empire
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I’ve got to say, it is uncanny how sometimes I’ll read a post here or elsewhere that echoes just what I’ve been thinking, or answers a question that has been bouncing around in my head.
Teaching others is, in my opinion, one of the truly satisfying things we can do in life. Imparting useful knowledge, and helping to shape the reasoning and problem solving skills of a student is a humbling privilege. As you point out Paul, it doesn’t just benefit the student; it benefits the teacher also.
I get to teach clients all the time, which is great. I get to see how my knowledge makes their business run better. But this kind of teaching has its limitations. I’ve been thinking that I’d love to take on a ‘padawan learner’.
It won’t happen in a hurry, but one day it will. Great post, as usual!
Thank you, Stephen. It’s really great to hear you say that. Let us know when you do get yourself a ‘grasshopper’. It’d be beaut to hear how the process works for you.
I can’t remember how many ‘batons’ I’ve been passed by, or clobbered with…?
It’s always amazed me how people have tried to capture the knowledge and experience of other people in contractual arrangements. e.g. ‘You’re not allowed to share what you learn from this organisation with anyone else…ever!’
I’ve walked away from some half decent positions, because on day one they pull out some archane control-freak document like that. Not only are they rude, they are usually patently insane. I can’t agree to such stupidity. It’s impossible to honour and impossible to defend against. It’s like saying ‘don’t think about monkeys’ and then suing me for thinking about monkeys. I can’t prove that I didn’t…but someone else talking about monkeys constitutes incriminating evidence? Yeh right!
Bluddy embarrassing planet!
Imagine if they did that at schools or universities? “Oh! You can learn stuff here, but you can’t use it outside of these premises.”
I’ve often argued that our ‘economy’ is not based on ’supply and demand’, it’s based on a lack of information. Supply and demand is just a symptom.
Speaking of symptoms…I hope this topic is not ’symptomatic’ ol Bean? It has been nearly a year…Megan, some palliative reassurance may be in order?
Am I a ‘Master’? I have been called so many things by so many people in my life…I’m happy (most of the time), to let people think what they will…
Am I passing the baton? If I’m asked a question, I’ll give the best answer I can to whoever asks it.
What if ‘they’ use it against me? Well some do that no matter what I do…
Well why don’t I try and stop them? Have look out the window…see that? That’s most people trying to control everyone else. Like it so far?…Do you have children? I do…and I refuse to die ashamed!
Cheers
Stephen G
You never fail to provide great value, Stephen! Thank you for your frank and detailed responses.
Your children litmus test is a particularly good one. I feel bad when the dogs look at me funny. I imagine striving to earn the respect of one’s offspring is an even greater benchmark.
Thanks again, Cobber.
Got home last night after 8 hrs driving with two horses in the float from National Morgan horse show at Jindabyne. Still feel sleep deprived.
Bo came as my strapper but as an experienced ’showey’ the tables were turned and she was my teacher/mentor.
It was an amazing experience.I panicked when she wasn’t around, I couldn’t find gear she’d packed,I didn’t know show etiquette.
I was teary with gratitude when I placed in a big class.
I also discovered I didn’t like who I became when I wasn’t in control and didn’t know what to do.
Passing the baton and allowing it to be passed back is a wonderful way to improve our teaching and life skills.I highly recommend it.
Congratulations and thank you Paul for another amazing article.
Sorry it’s taken so long to respond, this is first time I’ve opened PC since last Wed night and my mailbox overfloweth.
Thank YOU, Jude, both for letting me run your story AND adding your fabulous insight.
You just can’t beat this kind of real-world stuff for giving and receiving knowledge. I’m jolly grateful for your generosity of spirit.