Dogs are fiercely loyal creatures. They love and give and spend all of their energy on being the absolute best companions they can be. It’s no wonder that dogs are touted as “man’s best friend.” But, are they more than just best friends? Can they be mentors, too? Absolutely. There are countless lessons that your dog can teach you about mentoring.
These are just a few great examples of lessons your dog can teach us about ourselves.
Great Mentors and Great Dogs Listen Well
One of the best ways to establish a connection with a mentee—or a mentor—is simply to listen. Listen with the intention to learn about the person, not with the intention to have a good reply.
Dogs have the whole listening thing down-pat. If you’ve ever had a bad day, you know that you can count on your dog to sit and listen, no matter what the issue is.
And, you can bet they’re not just listening to bark back. They’re listening because they care. You should follow suit in your actions. Be a comforting presence in your mentees’ lives.
Successful Mentors and Successful Dogs Work as a Team
You would never catch a team of cats pulling a sled in the Iditarod race. Why? Because cats are pretty selfish by nature and don’t work well with others. Dogs, on the other hand, work incredibly well on teams, and because they’re able to band together, they go much farther than their feline counterparts.
When you’re considering starting up a mentor-mentee relationship, it’s important to establish great teamwork.
Yoking yourself metaphorically to another person entails a lot of trust and a lot of back-and-forth, so be prepared to run alongside your partner—not ahead or behind.
The Best Dogs and The Best Mentors Get Excited About Triumphs
Your dog is your biggest fan. In his eyes, you can do no wrong. Even when it feels as though the world is against you, you can always turn to good ol’ Fido and know he’s in your corner. And when you’re on top of the world? Your dog is right there with you!
The best mentors are the same way. They’re your best advocates and your number one allies. If you’re a mentor, try your best to emulate this kind of dogged enthusiasm for your mentees. They likely need someone on their side more than you know.
Be that person who’s excited about their triumphs and is always there to listen when they’re down in the dumps. You know your dog would do the same.
You do an amazing job of demonstrating this! Thanks for your mentorship.
With a submissive dog like I have inherited, positivity is very important yet not at all intuitive. This dog is older, has cataracts, diabetes, and has developed a fear of descending and ascending stairs. The slightest negativity freezes the dog in his tracks so I have to be upbeat and excited to the dog (and I need to do that with people more as well). I am certainly having success when I say “good boy!” to him so often that he may start to think that it is his name now. And important factors to go with mentorship are sincerity and continuity.
It’s sad that most people only have a mentor that was assigned to them at work. Too many times the most important thing to them making sure you do everything to make them look good at the company. Bill I appreciate you taking the time to know not only our goals but our family. I am excited to be mentored by a couple that truly wants us to succeed in every area of our lives.
Most people go their entire life without a strong mentor that will lead by example and model what he teaches. I am blessed to have this in my life and will not take it for granted. When you have a leader like Bill willing to teach what he has done to be successful, and not only teach but show with action…hang on to that and grow.
Good mentor-ship is a priceless asset that all to often passes by because of ignorance, ego and self doubt. Many years ago I was fortunate to be mentored by one of Father’s life long friends in the insurance industry. I watched, listened, applied his mentoring and grew within as well as financially. A few years after launching an insurance career, I was open to exploring other income streams and connected with Bill and Sandy. Once again, the greatest asset was the coaching and mentoring provided by Bill and Sandy. The life long journey of self improvement was once again in full stride as both my wife and I benefited from mentor-ship. What can you say but THANKS – when a couple such as Bill and Sandy are willing to pass on their life experiences be it good or bad and help us / you move forward in life! Thank You!
My wife has been asking for a dog for so long now. This article solidifies her reasoning for getting one. Fantastic post nevertheless with powerful teaching on the importance of mentor-ship. Thank you for all the great mentors that have come into our lives and have inspired us to achieve greater and go further than we ever dreamed of. Mentor-ship for us has been the fuel that has taught us to lead a life of significance. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Just wanted to say that this article was amazing! It’s such a crazy new idea to me that your dog can be your mentor when I’m so use to it being the other way around. To me it really established what a great mentor should be and honestly teaches you how to be a more caring person.
It is more than just dogma!
Years ago, the motivational speaker, Charlie “Life is Tremendous” Jones pointed out that you are not here to teach your children, they are here to teach you. The dog/mentorship idea appears to be similar. With the correct frame of mind, you can learn from anyone. And I find that with the diverse and yet very positive group that makes up the Hawkins organization, a learning experience begins with saying hello to some who is new to you. I have learned to learn better from Bill & Sandy Hawkins.
Bill and Sandy’s mentorship has been life changing for us. They have helped not only our professional and spiritual lives, but seeing how happy their marriage is after all these years, has modeled to us what a true marriage should look like. I never knew the value of a mentor or that I even needed one, but today I am incredibly thankful that I somehow ended up with this unbelievable mentorship in our lives. Thank you Bill and Sandy!
i reckon mentorship and friendship are very closely akin. Thanks for both!
As one of your many friends and Author Terry said in his book. Listening is one powerful key to great Mentorship. Thanks for you and Sandy’s mentorship!!
Bill and Sandy, thank you for being such amazing mentors to the people who now mentor me. I am learning from this team of mentorship and these are lessons that I am passing to my child and young people that are placed in my life that need mentorship. The far-reaching effects of your leading, teaching, mentoring, is priceless.
Show me your mentor and I’ll show you your future.
Your mentorship has done amazing things for me even though I feel like I am just getting started in my journey. The heart to serve oh guys possess is amazing. To have someone in my life to be able to steer me in the right way, someone that has actually accomplished what I want to accomplish is amazing. Thank you bill and sandy!
Listening, so we can learn about others. Thanks
They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Why is That? Is the dog not listening ? Is the dog not paying attention? Keep an open mind and learn from others success and failures. Thank you Bill for sharing yours.
Bill and Sandy are the Epitome of what Good Mentorship looks like! Leading by example through encouragement and never pushing… When I need re-centering in my life, a cup of coffee with these two has the potential to change my total perspective on my potential and what is possible!
“Dogs don’t listen just to bark back – they listen because they care.” THAT’S GREAT!
Bill and Sandy have been very instrumental in the development and success of my Leadership Development company. Their example of adding value and serving people has made a positive impact in providing “true” influence in the lives of many people across the country and around the world.
Mentorship has been one of the most important things in our life! Thank you for your incredible wisdom, example, and leadership!
Terrific article about mentorship!
Awesome blog and all truth on how winning championships in life are the result of surrounding yourself with a team of successful men and women who know where they are going and willing to do what it takes to get there. Great stuff!!!
Always taught to uplift and encourage and give grace just as we have always been given. So great to have option to have a mentor for LIFE not just college or sports, and how to pay that forward.
Bill and Sandy, thank you for all your wisdom and mentorship!
Thanks for you patience in teaching this old dog some new tricks.
I love this idea! Dogs are just naturally so happy and so loving, so we definitely can learn a thing or two from them!
It has been said that what you will be in five years is directly related to the people you associate with and the books you read. There are not any finer people than Bill and Sandy Hawkins. What great mentors they have been! Thank you!
I found your statement “You would never catch a team of cats pulling a sled in the Iditarod race.” visually thought provoking…and humorous! Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
Just what I needed to read, thanks!
Thanks so much for the wonderful information!
Very interesting. Thank you for sharing.
Father power is so evident in your life! Eager to read your book about your dad! Grateful for you and Sandy!
Mentorship really does matter — thanks for the analogy
Thank you for the mentorship breakdown. It definitely helps me put it into perspective. It’s one area that a struggle with when staying core, reaching out to my upline. Thank you
As we gain the opportunity to be an influence in people’s lives revisiting your information becomes even more valuable to me. Thank you for your willingness to give so much to others.
Bill – you are the top dog as a mentor and originally as a mentee!
def: “a person who is successful or dominant in their field.” Sandy – you’re the tops, too!
Bob & Cindy
No better mentors and coaches than who we have!! This article is awesome in covering the qualities of a (great) mentor. Thank you so much!!
I’m so glad I made it through the process and am now surrounded with people who build me up. It’s beyond my expectations!
So true!
I am so thankful to know people like Bill and Sandy. Hard to come by these days!
Great article! Thanks for your mentorship and wisdom
reading these comments = proof positive. thanks Bill and Sandy