Becoming a WERQ Mentor

Sure, we may be biased, but WERQ Dance Fitness Instructors are something special. It takes hard work, commitment, and guts to successfully command a group of fitness participants while rocking out to Beyonce. Many of us on the WERQforce can point to someone (and if you’re really lucky, multiple people) who has helped us grow as a WERQ instructor. In honor of “Thank a Mentor Day,” we would like to offer some tips on how YOU can help become a mentor to new instructors.

1. Take the Initiative: New instructors may be nervous when it comes to seeking you out for assistance/advice. When a new instructor starts at your facility or in your area, reach out to him/her and let them know that you would be interested in WERQing with them. You don’t have to approach it as, “Hey, I want to mentor you.” You can simply say, “I know you’re going to be launching your own WERQ class. I’m always looking for people to practice new routines with if you’re interested.” More often than not, a new instructor (and veterans, too) will take you up on your offer.

2. Listen: When observing a new instructor to provide him/her with feedback, make sure you listen first when discussing performance and execution. Begin your discussion with questions such as, “How do you feel about the songs you led?” “What did you think of cueing in front of a group?” This will give the instructor a chance to reflect on their execution and it will provide you with insight on how the instructor felt about his/her performance.

3. Start with a Positive: When providing feedback, always start with something positive. Being a mentor is not about listing off items that an instructor needs to work on. They are WERQing with you because they want to become a stronger instructor so make sure you initiate your conversation with something positive. Some helpful ways to begin your conversation are…

• I liked how…

• I enjoyed seeing…

• I was impressed by…

• I can tell you have been…

4. Keep Your Feedback Simple and Constructive: When offering feedback or advice, give one or two suggestions at a time, not an entire list: Chances are, you are going to practice with a new instructor more than once. You will have a much more successful relationship if your feedback is constructive (NOT a list of things they did incorrectly) and simple. Giving only one or two items of constructive feedback at a time will allow the new instructor to have a greater likelihood of demonstrating growth during the next class.

5. Practice Makes Progress: Even if you are mentoring another instructor, remember there’s room for you to grow, too. A good mentor is always thinking of ways to better himself/herself. Working with a new instructor can be a reciprocal relationship that allows both of you to become stronger instructors.

If you are currently mentoring instructors at your facility or in your area, THANK YOU! We know it takes extra time and effort to be a mentor, but it’s because of you that the WERQ program is successfully growing in your area. For those of you who have been interested in mentoring other instructors, we hope these tips provide you with a starting point on becoming a mentor. Thank you ALL for your hard WERQ and dedication!

-Danielle Porte

Training Manager, WERQ Fitness