A Manager's Role as a Mentor

Managers are afraid that the people who work for them are going to be better than them.

“Most managers are afraid that the people who work for them are going to be better than them. But you need to think of being a manager more like being a mentor or a parent.

What loving parent wants their child NOT to succeed? You want your kids to be more successful than you, right?”

By Tony Fadell in his book Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making

As managers, it's completely normal to feel a certain level of anxiety when our team members show potential to surpass us. However, let's shift our perspective and approach our role as more than just a manager - as a mentor or a parent.

Let's encourage their professional development, provide guidance, and empower them to take on new challenges. As they succeed, we can take immense pride in knowing that we played a crucial role in their growth.

So, let's cast aside our fears and limitations as managers. Let's wholeheartedly embrace the idea that our success lies in the success of our team.

By nurturing and supporting our team members, we can create a culture of growth, where everyone strives to be better than they were yesterday.

Remember, just as a parent wants their child to be more successful, let's aspire for our team members to surpass us.

Together, we can achieve greatness.