Mentor Spotlight: Colin Duthie - Empowering Ownership Through Active Listening

Mentor Spotlight

"Go for it!!! The greatest gift you can give anyone is your time, mentoring gives you the ability to learn how to be empathic and non-judgmental."

After a lifetime dedicated to coaching and developing athletes, Colin Duthie could have easily settled into retirement. Instead, this former Sports Development Officer and disability sport specialist from Scotland chose to channel his decades of experience into a new chapter - one where the focus shifts from coaching performance to mentoring possibilities.

As current chairperson of Disability Motorsport Scotland SCIO, Colin brings a unique perspective to the FIA Disability in Motorsport mentorship programme, blending his deep understanding of disability sport with a genuine passion for helping others take ownership of their stories.

From Coaching to Mentoring

Colin's transition into mentoring felt natural after "most of my adult life spent coaching in sport." But there's a crucial distinction he draws between his previous work and his current role as a mentor.

"I love the idea of mentoring giving the mentee the opportunity to take ownership of their own story," Colin explains. This shift from directing performance to facilitating self-discovery represents a fundamental evolution in how he approaches developing others.

Where coaching often involves specific technical guidance and performance targets, Colin's mentoring philosophy centres on empowerment and self-determination - creating space for mentees to define and pursue their own paths in motorsport.

The Power of Practical Impact

Colin's mentoring approach yields tangible results. "There have been many practical success stories, like identifying a piece of equipment which will help with accessing your chosen career. Finding the courage to disclose you have a disability," he shares.

These examples highlight two critical aspects of his mentoring: the practical problem-solving that removes barriers, and the emotional support that builds confidence for difficult conversations.

Becoming a Better Listener

Colin shares that mentoring has developed his approach to communication. "The FIA mentoring programme has helped me to be a more active listener, helped me to realise we have more in common than our differences," he reflects.

This evolution from instructor to listener represents a significant shift for someone accustomed to coaching, which usually requires providing direction and feedback.

His observation about commonalities over differences reveals a deeper truth about successful mentoring relationships - they're built on shared human experiences rather than just professional expertise or disability-specific knowledge.

The Gift of Time and Empathy

Colin's advice to prospective mentors is both enthusiastic and profound: "Go for it!!! The greatest gift you can give anyone is your time, mentoring gives you the ability to learn how to be empathic and non-judgmental."

His emphasis on time as a gift reflects an understanding that meaningful mentoring relationships require genuine investment. In a world where professional interactions are often transactional and time-limited, Colin recognises that mentoring demands a different approach.

The development of empathy and non-judgmental thinking represents what Colin sees as reciprocal benefits of mentoring. While supporting mentees, mentors themselves develop crucial interpersonal skills.

A Philosophy of Mutual Learning

For Colin, mentoring represents a unique opportunity: "It's not every day you get the opportunity to impart knowledge, learn at the same time, and hopefully give someone tools to develop their own skills in their chosen profession."

This perspective positions mentoring as a collaborative learning experience rather than a one-way transfer of knowledge. Colin acknowledges that while he brings expertise and experience to the relationship, he also gains insights and perspectives from his mentees.

The focus on providing "tools to develop their own skills" aligns with his philosophy of mentee ownership. Rather than solving problems for mentees, Colin aims to equip them with the resources and confidence to address challenges independently.

Building Scotland's Motorsport Future

Colin's role as chairperson of Disability Motorsport Scotland SCIO adds strategic depth to his mentoring. His position gives him insight into systemic challenges and opportunities within the motorsport landscape, enabling him to guide mentees not just as individuals but within the context of broader industry developments.

This dual perspective - individual support combined with sector knowledge - makes Colin particularly valuable to mentees navigating the complex intersection of disability and motorsport careers.

The Ripple Effect

Colin's approach to mentoring creates impact beyond individual relationships. By helping mentees develop courage for disability disclosure conversations and identifying practical solutions for access challenges, he's contributing to broader cultural change within motorsport.

Each mentee who gains confidence to share their story or finds new ways to participate in motorsport becomes part of a growing community that challenges assumptions and expands possibilities for others.

The FIA Disability in Motorsport mentorship programme connects experienced professionals with emerging talent, creating pathways for inclusion and achievement in motorsport.