Why would you help your competition?

May 12, 2026•2 min read

In a Facebook group that I am a part of about tutoring, someone recently asked why were people looking for help from their competition?

That seemed like a bizarre concept that we were competition as there are so many people looking for support in so many areas that we couldn’t possibly support everyone that needed it alone.

We all also have different approaches to tutoring, so although I may offer “this”, it could be that families are looking for “that”, like you do it.

Parents aren’t looking for ‘a tutor’. They’re looking for the right tutor for their child.

But surely, the only way we can continue to improve and offer something better is by seeking help and advice and may be some of the best people to gain that from are often those who are slightly further along the journey than we are.

Often, the children themselves are some of our greatest teachers.

They are the ones experiencing the education system every day, and their reactions, frustrations, and successes teach us a huge amount about how learning really works in practice.

Wherever you are finding inspiration and help from, can I suggest that you never stop learning and looking to grow and improve.

My late mum was one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever known.

Not because of qualifications, but because she never stopped learning.

She was constantly reading, listening, watching documentaries, and exploring ideas about people and the world around her.

Curiosity never left her.

Wherever you are in your tutoring journey, I genuinely believe we grow faster when we are willing to learn from others rather than trying to do everything alone.

None of us know everything.

The important thing is staying open to learning, reflecting, and improving.

It’s one of the reasons I’m so passionate about building supportive spaces for tutors who are starting or growing their journey.

If you are looking for support, guidance, or simply someone to walk alongside you as you build your tutoring business, feel free to get in touch. I’d love to help if I can.

Become a tutor

Dawn Strachan

For the past 20+ years I have been a firm believer that learning should be an enjoyable experience. I appreciate that traditionally education has revolved around worksheets, textbooks, listening to teachers. But a grounding in early years and working with children who had a variety of learning styles from I learned that it is an individual activity that is personal to all of us. We don’t all learn in the same way. Our influences, our experiences, our capabilities all influence how we retain information. But through it all, I believe that if we can make it enjoyable and engaging, they will want to participate. With participation comes practice which in turn boosts skill and confidence. With an increase in skill and confidence comes a willingness to have a go. This in turn leads to more practice which leads to a positive spiral of success. The moral, we need to make learning fun, engaging, use a range of techniques.

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