Creative Competition in Radiosport and Toastmasters - Part 3: The Value of Elmering and Mentoring

This 3rd installment is an outgrowth from the previous Blogs I have written on the

subject of Creative Competition.  In case you missed Parts 1 & 2, here they are:

• [x] - Creative Competition in Radiosport and Toastmasters
• [x] - Creative Competition in Radiosport and Toastmasters - Part 2: The 6 P's

In Radiosport (in particular) and Amateur Radio (in general) we have Elmering; in Toastmasters
we call it mentoring.  Elmers and Mentors have enabled me to discover innate abilities in radiosport and speech competitions, I never thought attainable.  When I didn't think I could take it to the next level, they encouraged me forward and then stepped out of the way, giving me the space to make it all happen.

As I said in Part 2, in order to deliver our best performance we should consider the 6 P's; namely: PLANNING, PREPARATION, PRACTICE, PERSISTENCE, PRESENTATION & PROTOCOL. 
In all these areas, mentoring can allow me to perfect each of the P's, taking things to the next level.

However, in order for mentoring to work, I must be worthy of being mentored; meaning, I must demonstrate a commitment to performance-betterment, being willing to invest the time/effort to
be the best I can be.  I repay my Elmers and Mentors by not giving up and getting with the program. 
As I said in Part 2, would-be winners often give up too easily, too early in the game.

Another way to repay is to "Giveback to the Community" by mentoring/Elmering the next generation
of upcoming competitors.  During recent years @NX6T in Fallbrook, a number of under-18 operators have learned and perfected the art of radiosport; included in that list are: Axel KI6RRN and Levi KK6NON (now W6JO) who have ascended to contest greatness.  While they learned from elder operators (21+) - often by watching and listening - they have individually taken it to the next level.

In the future , should I be brave enough to brave the world of SO2R, I like to know they will be available to answer all MY Questions when I am in one of those confused states.

In radiosport another way to discover how to take things to the next level is by being a part of station setup and maintenance, not JUST an operator.  In Toastmasters the equivalent is to volunteer in the production of a speech contest; become a ballot counter, a judge, or a contest organizer.  Doing so will give you a deeper appreciation for what it takes to become the Best of the best in the actual competition.

Additionally, as you mentor others you will discover what is lacking in your understanding of each aspect of the Art.  When I know that I don't know then I know there is more that I need to know in order to continue being the best of the best.  Mentors/Elmers should form their own association, allowing us to help each other as we help others.

Now, in order to set an ethical example for those you are mentoring, don't be a hypocrite - practice what you are proclaiming to be the correct operating behavior.  You've heard me say "When in doubt, CHEAT (but within the Rules)".  Don't enforce rules on those you mentor and then turn right around and violate those very rules you just proclaimed are at the heart of the competition.

Winning by breaking the rules is no win at all.  In radiosport once in awhile it is announced that WL6LID ran as unassisted when in fact they used internet spotting, or filed as a Single-OP station when in fact there were 4 operators behind the key, keyboard or microphone.  In Toastmasters once-in-awhile a speech contestant will claim to meet the entrant requirements when in fact they do not;
or their speech/evaluation goes overtime and they are not correctly time-disqualified. 

These are not actual wins; they are atrocities that CHEAT the REAL Winners from being accorded
the win they rightfully deserve to win.  They invest weeks, months and years only to have the rug pulled out by rule violations that are allowed to go unchecked.  Speech contests and radiosport competitions are all about improving our capabilities and skills.  At best, cheating encourages mediocrity, not excellence.

Speech contests and radiosport competitions allow us to take our skills to the next level; especially when we give-back to the competition process itself.  From time-to-time it may be determined that
the rules are lacking or in some way inadequate.  This does not give us permission to break the rules just because we don't like them; instead, it encourages those of us in the know to petition the contest organizers to have the rules upgraded to reflect the changing world we live in.  Until that happens,
we play within the rules the way they are published.

While individual contestants will in the end be competing alone on the playing field, remember:
"It's takes a village" to assist that individual to the place of Excellence that in-the-end can only
come from individual effort.

Do you like engaging in contests and competition?

How does Mentoring and Elmering figure into YOUR plans?