From Smart Leader to Empowering Mentor: Lessons I've Learned

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As a leadership coach, I've supported leaders as they strived to be the best at what they do. For years, I observed leaders struggling as they thought that meant being the smartest person in the room, having all the answers, and solving every problem that came their way. Over time, they came to understand that true leadership is about something much more powerful: mentorship.

The journey to becoming an effective mentor starts with a crucial realization - it all begins with self-leadership. You need to develop your own confidence and embrace speaking with the authority of your role. This isn’t about being bossy or domineering; it is about owning the responsibilities of your role and using that as a foundation to empower others.

One of the most significant shifts in your approach is to move away from the need to be the smartest person in the room. Instead, focus on creating a collaborative environment where everyone can bring their best thinking forward. Realize that your team members have valuable unique perspectives and insights that, when combined, can lead to far better solutions than what you may come up with alone.

One useful framework for understanding the mentorship process is the A to V model. It's a simple concept: we start at our current state (A) and work towards our future vision (V). As a mentor, your job is to guide your team members along this journey, providing feedback and support to help them continuously learn, develop and meet rising expectations.

Perhaps the most eye-opening lesson is understanding that mentorship doesn't just happen in formal feedback sessions. It's an everyday process, happening in small moments and interactions. Seizing these opportunities whenever they arise, whether it's a quick Zoom call to share your thinking on a problem or a brief chat to offer guidance on a project.

Mentorship isn't a one-way street. Empower your team members to bring their ideas and questions forward. Encourage them to not just highlight problems, but to come with potential solutions. This approach not only helps them develop their critical thinking skills but also makes your entire team more effective and agile.

In the end, you will come to understand that if your team isn't getting better while working with you, then you are not fulfilling your role as a leader. Mentorship is about continuous growth - both for the mentor and the mentee. It's about creating an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute, learn, and develop.

As you continue on this journey, you will be constantly amazed at how much you will learn from your team. Every day brings new opportunities for growth and development, and you may be grateful for the chance to be both a mentor and a lifelong learner.

Author: Barbara Schindler