When you think about the defining moments in your career or life, there's a good chance someone played a pivotal role in shaping those experiences - a boss, a coach, a parent, or even a colleague who took the time to invest in you.

For me, one of the most impactful mentors in my life was my grandfather. He was a man of few words who didn't tell me what to do - he showed me. I admired his unfailing ability to use what he had, fix or build just about anything, and his endless patience to let me tag along and glean from his experience. That's mentorship. And if you're in a leadership position, mentorship is not just an opportunity to give back; it's a non-negotiable part of your role that can lead to incredible outcomes and future success.

Leadership isn't about building a following; it's about empowering others and helping them recognize and reach their full potential. It's a long game with the goal of creating more leaders - confident and competent individuals equipped to not only carry the legacy but make it even greater. And to do that, I believe it requires two things:

First, you’ve got to put your ego aside. As one of my favorite quotes (originally credited to Confucius) says, “If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.” If we can’t get our egos in check, we can forget about mentoring – or about being effective leaders!

Second, you've got to commit to continually pouring your knowledge and experience into others. Mentorship goes beyond just passing on wisdom, though; it's about fostering growth—sometimes through a lot of discomfort.

Do you let them make mistakes?

We all know the pain of failure, but those moments often teach us more than any success ever could. As a mentor, allowing your team to take risks and fail is a gift. It can be tough to watch someone stumble, especially when you know how to avoid the pitfall. But stepping in every time doesn't empower them; it keeps them dependent. Every mistake is a growth opportunity, and as leaders, our role is to guide, not to shield.

Do you let them take the lead?

One of the most rewarding (and nerve-wracking) aspects of mentorship is stepping back and letting others take the reins. It requires trust and a willingness to let go of control. It's not about throwing someone into the deep end; it's about giving them the chance to prove they can swim. When you let someone lead, you're saying, "I believe in you." And that belief is like rocket fuel to the people who want to excel.

Do you aspire to empower them?

Mentorship isn't about creating clones of ourselves. It's about helping others find their strengths, develop their own leadership style, and achieve their full potential. Empowerment happens when we stop focusing on what's best for us and start asking, What's best for them?

Our leadership journeys have never been about us. And the sooner we realize it, the more fulfilling and impactful our businesses (homes, families, lives in general) will be. When you see someone you've mentored succeed, it's similar to feeling like a proud parent. Their win feels like your win because, in many ways, it is.

So, leaders, let's aspire to be more like my grandfather. Let's lead with our actions (and use our words when necessary). Most of all, we should never overlook mentorship or consider it just another task on an endless leadership to-do list. Your commitment to mentorship, or lack thereof, can make or break not only your success as a leader but the success of your business as well.

The best leaders are the ones who put their egos aside, look for the best in others, use their gifts and abilities to empower people, and leave behind a trail of uniquely confident individuals ready to make the world a better place. Don’t let that superpower go to waste