Thinking about developing a mentoring program?  A technique that came to my attention the other day was the concept of tandem running.  The process was one of the first discoveries of a non-human teaching another non-human a skill.  Tandem running is a method that ants use to show other ants how and where to locate food.  The lead ant has the knowledge and moves ahead and waits for the trailing ant to follow.  The second ant runs behind but frequently veers off-course and explores the surrounding terrain.  The lead ant waits for the second ant to catch-up.  The lead ant moves forward when the second ant prods it to move forward.  By allowing the second ant to explore the surrounding environment the lead ant enhances the second ant’s mapping of the local environment and improves it chances of returning to ant hill with food.

What could we learn from a self-paced mentoring program?  What if a mentor showed as much latitude as the first ant?  Would it lead to a vibrant and enriching experience?