Explore the concept of becoming a mentor instead of a boss with Zach Pelzar, a further discussion of the Be A Better Boss Podcast. Learn how YOU can become a better leader among your employees.
What makes someone worth following?
As a collegiate golfer, I have had all kinds of different leaders throughout my life, including coaches, captains, teachers, and teammates. On this journey, I have also had the privilege of acting as a leader to others. With this experience, there is one thing that stands clear to me today: the best leaders do not give you the answers. They teach, they inspire, and they promote growth. These are the leaders that bring out the best in people, not those awaiting results. This concept is perfectly captured in Iain Highfield’s podcast episode called “The Leadership Shift: From Boss to Mentor,” and I’d love to share how you can learn from it.
In golf, pressure is a constant. Your score is always there, always the thing that is being projected on the big screen. It’s not easy to avoid, but I’ve learned that the way a coach or a teammate handles that pressure makes all the difference. When someone leads like a “boss,” it feels like expectations without support. They lay expectations on an outcome that frankly is not in your control. However, when they lead like a mentor, it’s different. They ask questions, offer perspective, and help you grow. And not just as an athlete, but also as a person. I’ve played my best rounds when I felt supported, not just coached. The leaders who believed in me—even when I didn’t fully believe in myself—are the ones who are able to get the most out of me.
Bosses can get the most out of their employees by using a similar strategy: turn themselves from bosses into mentors, and encourage growth not perfection. Too often it is typical for bosses to demand statistics, give orders, and assert control in order to try to produce. However, as Highfield explains in his podcast, employees find the most success when they are passionate, happy, and inspired to do their work, which rarely comes from a boss that focuses on outcomes. By forming connections with their employees and becoming an equal instead of an authoritarian figure, bosses can ask questions and facilitate growth to promote a focus on the process.
As Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once said, you give a man a fish, he eats for a day, you teach a man to fish he eats for a lifetime. It is critical that leaders inspire learning over answers. As explored in this podcast, a great leader promotes growth, asks questions, and stimulates change.
Check it out on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.
It’s the kind of mindset shift that can make a huge impact—on your team, your career, and your confidence.
