By Kenny and Nancy Troiano
HOW IMPORTANT ARE MENTORS?They are essential to your success. Without the guidance of an experienced person, you’re basically reinventing the wheel. You’ll make mistakes that could have been prevented. You’ll spend money and time that could have been avoided.
There are many benefits to having an experienced and qualified mentor. For instance, you’ll benefit from their years of experience, which gives you the benefit of their foresight. They know, in advance, what will happen and what to expect. You are also speeding up the learning process and shortening your learning curve, saving you money and many years of trial and error.
In many cases, you are starting out where the mentor left off. Essentially, you are dodging many mistakes that would have occurred by trying to learn everything on your own. By following a mentor, one with years of experience, and is successful, you can avoid those mistakes.
Many beginners, or inexperienced breeders are naïve and unaware of what’s going on with their fowl, or lack the knowledge and know-how of what to do about it. They have no idea how to handle or take care of unexpected problems, or dangers that exist in their fowl or within their own yards. In truth, they become ‘Yard Blind,’ and only see what they want to see or what they were taught to see, usually by other breeders who also lack the proper knowledge and awareness.
I’ve used this reference often, but it’s a good example of what I am talking about here. Years ago, I went to a breeder’s farm to help him select brood fowl, and set up his brood pens. As I went through his yard, he showed me, what he thought was his best brood cock. I quickly noticed that the cock had a defect, known as duck-toe. This is a fault where the back toe, known as the prop-toe, is laying alongside the foot, instead of straight back and in line with the front center toe. The prop-toe should not only be straight back, but should lay flat on the ground, not up in the air. This toe is important for balance and propulsion, helping the bird to launch itself into the air.
As I looked over his yard, I realized that all his birds had this same fault. He never noticed this. His attention was focused on other traits. He didn’t know to look for this fault. Not knowing better, he bred to birds expressing this fault, and now all his birds, not only carry this fault, but are now expressing the same defect. This is what it means to be ‘Yard Blind.’
An experienced breeder, who is also your mentor, can help you avoid this type of mistake. He will show you how to select the right brood fowl and how to breed them properly.
IT WASN’T UNTIL I FOUND MY FIRST MENTOR THAT I BEGAN TO PROGRESS MYSELF AND MY FOWL TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
If you want to be successful at anything, especially the breeding of high quality, high performing strains, having a mentor is an indispensable factor. I place having a mentor as the number one requirement to becoming a successful breeder. I believe this is true with all endeavors, including the breeding of chickens and gamefowl.
I started out like everyone else, stumbling and making many costly mistakes. It wasn’t until I found my first mentor that everything began to turn in the right direction.
IT’S ALSO GOOD TO HAVE A ‘FEW’ MENTORS
It’s a good idea to have one mentor that you can rely on, but it’s good to have other mentors that specialize in a particular area. For instance, I have a mentor that specializes in the color of plumage. His name is Jack Dodd, and I always know that I can go to him to get the information I need to improve and advance my strains plumage color. His knowledge in this area is unmatched.
I have a mentor that taught me a lot about selection and the proper conformation of body. His name is Tony Saville. Again, his knowledge in this area is unmatched. He has also taught me a lot about the history of the breed, which has given me greater insight of the breed as a whole.
When it comes to genetics, I have a mentor by the name of Doug Huggins, who has played an instrumental part in helping me to understand the importance of genetics and the inheritance of traits. I have benefitted greatly by his leadership and advice. Doug has opened my eyes to a great many things concerning the laws of inheritance.
It’s always good to have a mentor that you can ask questions, and will expose you to new ideas and practices that you might not otherwise be exposed to. This could be breeding, genetics, or color and conformation of body. Or, it could be in areas of nutrition and health care and disease prevention. It could also be in the area of proper yard management or record keeping, not to mention the history and origins of the breed.
THE BENEFITS OF HAVING A GOOD MENTOR:In this article, I would like to discuss the importance of having a good mentor, and what I believe are the requirements of being a good mentor. Not everyone is qualified to be a mentor, and this article will help you to know if the person you are considering is indeed qualified and capable.
To begin with, a good mentor does not take their responsibility lightly. They feel a sense of obligation, and are invested in their student’s success. They are committed to helping their students succeed, and take great pride when they are successful. This requires someone who is knowledgeable, and possesses the attributes of a good teacher, and are great communicators.
This is important to me. I not only enjoy helping others improve their breeding skills and increase their knowledge of breeding, but I feel great satisfaction when they are successful. When I work with a student, or with one of our members of the Breeders Academy, I will invest all my time and attention to them. I will talk with them for as long as it takes.
ONE OF MY GREATEST MENTORS, TONY SAVILLE: Through the years we became very good friends. During our friendship, I’ve had the opportunity to pick his brain. He was always available to answer my questions, and the information he provided was priceless. I was like a sponge, I couldn’t get enough, and I always wanted to learn more. When it came to gamefowl, Tony was a wealth of information and a blessing.
I was very lucky. As a mentor, Tony had over fifty years of experience with the raising and breeding of gamefowl. Originally, he was from Johannesburg, South Africa, where in 1977 he became an Accredited Judge for the South African Poultry Association, as well as a judge for the “Old Oxford-Old English Gamefowl Club.”
He also Judges a multitude of shows for the benefit of the A.P.G. (Association for the Preservation of Gamefowl).
Today, Tony is the founder of the American Gamefowl Society, where he strives to preserve the American Games for future generations.
I will never forget our long afternoon talks. After feeding and caring for his chickens, we sat on his back porch talking about chickens and discussing various subjects concerning chickens and gamefowl, all while sipping on a glass of wine. I really enjoyed our conversations. Tony opened my eyes to a whole new world, and I will be forever grateful.
Tony was everything you would want and expect from a mentor. He’s always been a good role model for me.
In the following paragraphs we will discuss the benefits of having a good mentor, and the qualities a good mentor should possess. I suggest that you read and study this article and use this information when choosing a mentor.
12 KEY QUALITIES TO GOOD MENTORSHIP
Consider these 12 key qualities when picking a mentor, and when becoming a mentor for others.
- Honesty and Trustworthiness
- Passionate and Enthusiastic about Breeding
- Friendly and Approachable
- Availability
- Knowledge and Experience
- Ability and willingness to communicate what they know
- Attentive and understanding
- Provides Guidance and Constructive Feedback
- Objectivity and Fairness
- Values Continual Learning and Growth in the Field
- Leads by Example
- Helps forge new paths
I will describe for you the qualities of a good mentor, and show you how my mentor, Tony Saville, helped me in these areas. I will also discuss how I like to mentor others.
Let’s discuss these qualities now.
HONESTY AND TRUSTWORTHINESS: can you trust, believe and follow your mentor? Honest, morality and having a good reputationis a big part of choosing the right mentor. Be sure that you can trust and have confidence in your mentor. He should be well liked and respected, and have a good reputation with other breeders.
What is his knowledge, skills, and experience worth if you cannot trust him? You do not want a mentor that will lead you in the wrong direction.
Tony was well liked and trusted by all who knew him. I always had confidence in his advice and the information he provided me. And, he was always honest and trustworthy. I never doubted that he had my best interest at heart. Like a proud dad, I was always aware that my success was his success.
I feel the same pride when helping others, and it’s very important to me that they know I always want the best for them and that they are confident in the information I provide.
PASSIONATE AND ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT BREEDING: Choose a mentor who is as passionateand enthusiasticabout breeding as you are. He must have a love for the birds and is excited about sharing his knowledge and experience with beginning breeders.
A good mentor must take his role as your mentor seriously when passing knowledge. They must also be just as excited about teaching you as you are to learn. They do this by radiating a genuine passion. A mentor who does not exhibit enthusiasm about breeding and raising fowl will not make a good mentor.
Enthusiasm is contagious, and a good mentor will impress a sense of passion in his students. He becomes a living example to emulate. Many times, you can see this passion in the way he breeds and raises his fowl.
When working with Tony, I could always feel his excitement and passion for his fowl, and his eagerness to share his knowledge with me. He would present it is such a way that I was excited to learn more.
I have strived to emulate Tony’s passion when helping others. I can tell when I have connected with them, and feel their excitement when they are receiving new and valuable information. If I’m excited, I know they will be too.
FRIENDLY AND APPROACHABLE: While deciding on the right mentor for you, look for a mentor that is kind and welcoming, you must feel comfortable asking them advice.
This is true when it comes to constructive feedback. There are times when the mentor will need to be brutally honest with you as well. Sometimes the truth hurts, but it’s the only way you will grow and learn.
Some mentors are not willing to share everything they know, and are guarded. They pick and choose what they will let out. Your mentor needs to be someone who is willing to share all his knowledge, skills and expertise in the areas of breeding and raising. He is not a good mentor if he is holding you back and denying you important, need to know, information. It is true, however, that timing is everything, but if you should know it, he should teach it.
Tony was always comfortable to talk with. I felt like I could ask him anything. He was not only my mentor, but I looked at him as a close friend. He was also good about giving me the right advice at the right time, and not overload me with useless information.
This is something I am always working on. Some say that I look unapproachable. I am friendly, trust me! And, I love to talk about chickens and breeding, they are my favorite subjects. Although I seem unapproachable, I’m more welcoming than I look. Once I meet you, you will not be able to shut me up. I can talk chickens all day long, especially about selective breeding and evolutionary biology. Once you meet me, you will find me to be very open and friendly.
AVAILABILITY:Is your mentor available over the long haul? Mentorship is a long-term commitment that requires both the mentor and student to be present and invested. A great mentor can always be counted on through thick and thin. He knows what it’s like when starting out, and understands that good mentoring requires time and commitment.
There will be times when you need a question answered directly, so that you can move forward with your goals as a breeder. Many times, these are questions that are stopping you from advancing. A good mentor will be there when you need him.
Tony lived a few miles from me, and I don’t remember a time when I asked to come over to talk chickens that he said no. He always said – come on over! I found Tony to be available and accessible, and that was after a long day of work. I was very lucky, Tony was knowledgeable, had tons of experience, and he was available and willing to answer my many questions.
As far as being available, it’s very tough to help others over the phone. Some things get lost in translation or lack proper description. That is why I created the Breeders Academy. The website is set up to provide great information, but also, I am there to answer all the members questions, and to help them understand the breeding process.
Before the Breeders Academy, I would get many phone calls from breeders around the world. I would be on the phone for hours. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed the conversations, but it was very difficult to help them properly.
The Breeders Academy has not only allowed me to be more available to those who really want to learn about breeding, but to do it, in such a way that I can give them examples. This is done though programs and courses, pictures and illustrations, video tutorials, valuable resources, and the website forum. I will also set up a phone conversation, if need be. It is my goal to help my members succeed, and whatever it takes to do that, I will.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: Is your mentor someone who isKnowledgeable and has many Years of Experience?Ask yourself, is he/she someone with enough knowledge and experience that can lead you in the right direction?
A good mentor is one that not only has good knowledge and advice, but knows this subject well (in this case, breeding). They are regarded as someone who is an expert in your field.
They do not rely on ‘Old Wives Tales’ and ‘Superstitions’. They trust in true science and facts. If they can’t explain their ideas or reasoning’s, in a way that makes sense, then it’s time to find a new mentor.
Like I said earlier, Tony was very knowledgeable and had years of experience. He was the expert in his field and well respected. He was an accredited judge, so his knowledge was based on science and facts.
I have always stayed clear of ‘old wives tales’ and ‘superstitions.’ And, I had great mentors, such as Tony Saville and Doug Huggins that impressed upon me the importance of following science. Anyways, I found science to be more interesting and reliable.
ABILITY AND WILLINGNESS TO COMMUNICATE WHAT THEY KNOW:when it comes to choosing a mentor, it’s one thing to know what they are doing; it’s entirely another to be able to clearly explain what they know to their student, and be willing to take the time to do it.
A good mentor should possess excellent communication skills and should be able to adjust their message to the personality style of their student. A good mentor will forgo the jargon, the acronyms, and the buzzwords, and will opt for clarity when communicating what they’re offering. This is essential, they should always communicate in a way that makes sense, and that you, the student, can understand and learn from.
Tony always understood who I was and what I needed as a student. He was good about providing me with reading material, or directing me to books that he knew would help. He would explain things to me in ways that I could comprehend and absorb the information. I never felt stupid or lost when talking and learning from Tony.
I’ve strived to follow Tony’s example when working with other breeders, or when writing articles and books. I also like putting myself in the student’s shoes. This helps me to better explain the information and give it to them in such as way that they find it useful.
ATTENTIVE AND UNDERSTANDING: “If you’ve ever argued with someone, you know that they will never see your side until they’re convinced that you’ve seen theirs.” A good mentor is aware that to provide valuable guidance and advice that is well received, it is necessary to first understand the mentee’s needs, wants, and desires. This can only come in the form of deep understanding.”
Ask yourself, does my mentor have good listening skills? It’s fine if your mentor talks a lot. He has much to say, much to teach, however, does he listen to you too? A good mentor will be a patient person who listens to your concerns and questions fully. In doing so, both the mentor and the student will be fully understood at all times.
Great mentors are amazingly good listeners that take the time to fully understand their students. They learn about the student’s life, dreams, goals, and also take what they say into consideration before providing their input.
What I liked about Tony was that he always listened to what I had to say, and to any questions I had. The conversation always when both ways.
I like to listen intently to my students as they sort their way through the confusion, and give them just enough to move them in the right direction. This is often enough to get them through their difficulty. “If you ask any therapist about the power of listening, they will tell you the same thing: It is massive. Any mentor that is worth their weight spends considerably more time listening than they do speaking.”
PROVIDES GUIDANCE AND CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK: One of the key responsibilities of a good mentor is to provide the proper guidance, and give you constructive feedback. This is where you will most likely grow the most.
Any questions you may have that aren’t addressed by your mentor can lead to concerns and problems, so the mentor owes it to you to be truthful and straightforward. They should never beat around the bush, especially when offering constructive feedback, good or bad.
A good mentor will also challenge you to grow beyond your comfort zone. There will be times when you will have a question, and the mentor may not have the answer you need. You will need a mentor that will find the answer for you. Will he take the time to research the subject matter, and get you the answers you need? A good mentor should be dedicated to you and your journey, as you go through the breeding process?
You will also want a mentor that can provide proper reading material for you to study and learn.
Tony never had an ego, and he never acted like he knew everything, but he was very giving with what he did know, and was good about showing me where I could find the information I needed. Any feedback I received was at times harsh, but it always came from a good place, love and respect.
I’ve learned a lot from tony in this area, and I like to make sure my students and members of the Breeders Academy are getting the information they want and need most. If a member has a question, and it’s not on the website, I will get the information they need and make it available on the Breeders Academy. This not only benefits the student in question, but the other members as well.
OBJECTIVITY AND FAIRNESS: Choose a person who can be objective and fair, and can teach you with an open mind. He should also allow you your independence to try new things and be open to having a conversation and discussion about the subject.
A good mentor is willing to teach what he knows, and accepts you where you currently are in the process.
Tony was good about teaching me, but he never forced his opinions or ideas on me. There were times when we disagreed, but it was never an issue.
On the Breeders Academy, we have members of different levels. Some are experts in their own rights, and some are beginners, not to mention those in the middle. I like helping breeders of all levels, and look forward to taking their breeding skill and knowledge, and their fowl to the next level. When they succeed, I succeed.
But I do understand the importance of keeping an open mind. There was a time when breeding pure strains was the only subject I wanted to talk about or teach, but I realized that not everyone wants to breed and raise pure strains. There are some that prefer breeding and producing hybrid crosses, or those that enjoy experimenting with different matings. And, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that there was a place for these breeders on the Breeders Academy as well.
In truth is, knowing genetics and the laws of inheritance is even more important when producing hybrid crosses, or when doing experimental matings, because, in most cases, you are mating two birds with contrasting characteristics. There is an ever greater need to know the results before mating those birds. Knowing genetics and the laws of inheritance will allow you to do just that, to know ahead of time, the results of a mating.
Dominant and recessive traits, as well as, polygenic and sex-linked traits, and others can sidetrack your efforts. Knowing genetics will save you money and time.
VALUES CONTINUAL LEARNING AND GROWTH IN THE FIELD: Good mentors are committed, and are open to testing and learning new breeding practices. They continually read professional journals and may even write articles on their subject of choice, in this case, breeding.
Remember – What worked a decade ago may not be optimal today, and what works today may not work as well one, two, five, or more years from now. So, continual learning is essential.
Some of the best mentors are those who tend to teach classes and seminars or write for magazines. They may even attend classes to further develop their own knowledge and skills. They enjoy taking workshops and attending professional conferences provided through their membership in professional associations.
You cannot become a knowledgeable and skillful breeder without learning new principles and practices, and methods. Tony was always collecting and studying books on the subject of selection and the standard of perfection, and it shows in the quality of his fowl. I was very fortunate to benefit from Tony’s drive to learn more.
I’ve always had a drive to learn more, but Tony was certainly an influence on me. I never get tired of reading and learning more about the art of selective breeding. I have followed Tony’s example, and thanks to the internet, I have a huge collection of books on the subject of breeding, genetics, evolution and biology. This has improved my knowledge of breeding and has expressed itself in higher quality of fowl, for me and thousands of breeders worldwide.
LEADS BY EXAMPLE: A good mentor should not only provide direction and advice, but to get you to act upon them. And while conversations can be motivating, few things are more impactful than to lead by example. A good mentor’s mantra must be: ‘Do as I do, not just as I say.’ We’ve all heard the phrase, “talk is cheap.” It’s far easier to say you will do something than to actually do it.
Make sure you choose a mentor that walks the talk. Any advice he gives you should be words that he lives by as well.A good mentor continually sets a good example by showing that their individual habits are matched by their overall success.
I’ve never seen tony tell me one thing and do another. He always practiced what he preached. And if he said something, you knew he believed it.
I practice what I preach. Everything I teach in my books and on the Breeders Academy I do myself. The information I teach is what I have experienced and researched, and have put into practice. I know this information like the back of my hand. It’s a big part of who I am and what I’m all about. I find great pride in teaching it and passing it to other breeders.
HELPS FORGE NEW PATHS: A good mentor helps their students forge their own path– you can follow a mentor, but only for so long. Eventually, you will need to forge your own path, and make a name for yourself, and a good mentor knows that.
Tony always gave me the freedom to have my own opinion, and was supportive when I wanted to try new things. In the end, we would discuss our success and failures, and talk about what we learned from them.
I never felt like he was criticizing me or judging me. He always knew when it was the right time to teach me something new or step away. He never expected me to remain in his shadow forever.
It is my goal to not only teach you how to become a better breeder, but for you to become a better teacher. You too will become a mentor, and someday, you too, will pass this information onto others breeders who are less knowledgeable or experienced as you.
Remember! You want a mentor that is:
- Knowledgeable
- Reputable
- Has a love for the birds
- Has many years of experience
- Doesn’t rely on ‘superstitions’ and ‘old wife’s tales’
- Has beliefs that are based on facts and Science
- A mentor that is Brutally honest
- And is just as excited to teach you, as you are to learn
This is a challenging hobby to take on, and to experience it alone is even more challenging. Therefore, get yourself a mentor. Someone you can trust, with the knowledge and experience to guide you, even in areas you don’t think you need guidance.
You may find that, in some small way, you really needed the help, and was glad they were there for you.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A MENTEE OR STUDENT
First of all, it’s important to remember that mentors are human. Like everyone else, they can and do make mistakes. Don’t think you are going to find someone who is perfect. That’s not realistic.
Also, don’t be thinned skinned. Allow the mentor to be brutally honest with you. It’s the only way you will grow as a student. It’s the mentor’s job to dish out a lot of hard truth and honesty.
As the student or mentee, it’s crucial that you listen to the feedback, don’t take it personally, but actually, consider it. Remember, this feedback is coming from the right place. You don’t have to do everything your mentor says, but you should at least consider it.
It’s important that you always treat your mentor with the utmost respect. If you are lucky enough to find a mentor, hold on tight, and take that relationship seriously.
That being said, your mentor is busy, and you have to expect that. They aren’t always going to be able to drop everything to speak with you. Make sure you don’t abuse the relationship – pick and choose what you bring to your mentor. A good mentor is hard to find, and most people don’t have mentors. So, don’t take the relationship for granted. You are very lucky.
A good mentor-student relationship is a two-way street. If you want a good relationship with your mentor, become a good student. This requires a genuine interest in your mentor. Follow his suggestions and recommendations, as well as reading all pertinent literature available.
It’s important to stay focused, and not be led down every rabbit hole. Trust your mentor, and don’t listen to every other person you meet. If you here a new idea, or one that is contrary to what your mentor has told you, ask your mentor what he thinks, and follow his suggestions. Staying focused is priority number one.
Think of it like this:
F-Follow
O- One
C- Course
U- Until
S- Success
Hi, this is Kenny’s wife, Nancy.
With that said, let me tell you about why you should choose Kenny Troianoand the Breeders Academy as your mentor. Kenny has over 30 years of experience in the field of selective breeding, both by research and his own experiences with creating strains.
The outcome of his knowledge has led him to become a teacher for the Sustainable Poultry Network, a Gamefowl judge and activist, author of two successful books on the breeding of gamefowl, articles written in magazines worldwide and a well-developed strain, known as the Maximus Line.
His knowledge and compassion for breeders is what motivates him to teach and mentor many. This is the reason he developed the membership website of the “Breeders Academy,” where he can reach many, instead of one at a time.
At the Breeders Academy, breeders can learn at their leisure, listening to Bred to Perfection podcast episodes, read articles, both newly posted and archives, breeding programs and courses, lots of useful resources, and much, much more.
Kenny will always be available to answer questions as he works seven days a week, keeping up with the members’ needs and wants.
I suggest, if you really want a good mentor and the benefits of a wealth of knowledge, join the Breeders Academy. You will save many years of hard work, as well as, money.
Nancy
