Within most fields, students require lengthy and intense mentoring to achieve their potential. Mentors teach us not only "this is the way we do it" within an industry, but their unique perspective about accelerators, barriers, misconceptions, and trends. The right mentor engages and forces us to question both our beliefs and knowledge.
For example, in my early medical career, we had limited access to CT (computed tomography). The access to three-dimensional imaging revolutionized medicine. Our limited access caused us to undervalue the technology, as my mentor excelled at reading conventional x-rays.
As a player, you become exposed to multiple mentors - teachers, coaches, and often older players. Finding mentors that can help you grow with the right blend of teaching, encouragement, discipline, freedom, and criticism can inform success or mediocrity. Coaches go through the same process. I know some whose mimicry of their previous coaches produces Pete Newell's "poor reproduction of the original."
Effective mentors help provide clarity, structure, and focus to students. They can help us avoid pursuit of dead ends or share their process. They can stimulate creativity by providing information about what is and is not known.
When Alexander was thirteen about 343 B.C., King Philip of Macedonia chose Aristotle as his son's mentor. Alexander's education included biology, debate, geometry, astronomy, poetry, politics, psychology, and even medicine. Aristotle added considerable value in his emphasis of honor, learning, and self-discipline. The education was imperfect, flawed by Aristotle's belief in slavery and conquest. But Alexander became the vehicle to disseminate Aristotelian theory across the ancient universe.
The breadth and depth of information available on the Internet can't replace mentoring, but it affords us exposure to its advantages. Knowledge doesn't substitute for wisdom and the redirection or correction available via experienced teachers. Watching video of Lebron James won't correct your footwork, tendencies to put the ball on the deck prematurely, too much dribbling, or poor shot selection.
When we lack mentors, we may fail to ask the right questions. Whether things go well or not, we still need to ask why and how we can improve. Coach John Calipari writes about having a personal board of directors, which serves a similar purpose. To reach and maintain a high standard of performance requires constant curiosity, attention to detail, and commitment to improvement. Having the right mentor can facilitate that process.