Who Shaped Your Journey and Helped to Build Your Legacy?

As we celebrated National Mentoring Day over the weekend, I found myself reflecting on the pivotal role that mentors play — not only in our careers but in shaping who we become as people.

Mentorship is not simply a mechanism for skill development or goal-setting; it is an art form, deeply rooted in legacy, continuity, and purpose.

Great mentors do more than teach or lead; they leave a lasting impact that shapes generations, communities, and industries alike.

For me, mentorship is more than a formal program. It’s a principle I have experienced firsthand, growing up with parents who were not only my first teachers but my earliest and most consistent guides in navigating life and its many complex paths. They understood something fundamental about mentorship — that it is as much about the journey as it is about the destination.

In their own ways, both my mother and father were leaders committed to their goals while remaining attuned to the personal growth and meaningful change that could be cultivated along the way.

My father, a steadfast model of resilience, believed in leading by example. His approach was never just about pushing for an outcome but about inspiring a relentless dedication to purpose. He asked “why” a lot, and he continued to check in with mentees years after he worked with them.

He instilled in me an understanding that real change — whether in our lives or society — is often slow and requires unwavering commitment.

His mentorship taught me that the real measure of success is not just what you accomplish but how you accomplish it, and the legacy you leave for those who follow.

Similarly, my mother continues to embody empathy, spunk, and relentless energy. She understands that mentorship requires an investment in others that goes beyond imparting knowledge; it’s about listening, nurturing potential, giving positive examples, and respecting each person’s unique journey.

From her, I continue to learn that mentoring is as much about presence as it is about perseverance. She reminds me constantly that our legacy is not defined by accolades but by our ability to inspire others (which she does daily).

In my professional life, I have had the privilege of working alongside exceptional teams where mentorship was woven into the fabric of our organizational culture. These teams did not view mentorship as a formal obligation but as a shared commitment to a common purpose.

How lucky am I to be among individuals who have embodied the ethos that change doesn’t happen in isolation; it is a collaborative effort that requires each person to show up with both their talents and (equally important) their vulnerabilities.

Together, each team I have worked with has forged a path not just to accomplish goals but to build legacies that would endure far beyond individual careers, projects, or organizations.

I am especially grateful for the mentors I’ve had within these teams — those who valued transparency, resilience, honesty, trust, and the continual pursuit of meaningful impact.

They taught me that true leadership is rooted in authenticity and a vision that extends beyond immediate achievements and personal recognition.

These mentors encouraged me not just to reach milestones but to reflect on the legacy we, as a collective, were creating for ourselves, our field, and our organizations. Their influence was not about power or authority but about stewardship, shared learning, and a relentless pursuit of progress.

As we celebrate National Mentoring Day, let us remember that mentorship is a legacy in itself.

Every mentor, whether they are family members, colleagues, or community leaders, contributes to a tapestry of learning, growth, and change that shapes the future. Mentors impart wisdom, but more than that, they inspire others to build upon that wisdom, to carry it forward, and to create new pathways for those who come next.

Mentorship is powerful, let’s do more of it.

Jody is a thought leader in education, a mentor, coach, and co-leaner to educators and leaders globally. You can follow along with her work at jodybritten.com