The Leadership Duo You Can’t Ignore: Mentorship & Training
What makes a great leader? Vision? Confidence? Strategy?
While those are all important, there’s a critical leadership duo that often gets overlooked: mentorship and training.
Someone recently asked me what I needed accountability for this year.
My answer? Training.
Not mentorship…training.
I’ve always had a heart for mentorship. I love helping people grow, offering guidance, and being a sounding board when they need it. Encouraging, supporting, and challenging others comes naturally.
But I’ve realized something: mentorship alone isn’t enough. The best leaders aren’t just mentors—they’re also effective trainers who equip their teams with the skills and confidence needed to succeed.
Mentorship & Training: The Two Sides of Effective Leadership
Strong leadership isn’t just about inspiring people—it’s about developing them. And that’s where mentorship and training go hand in hand.
Mentorship: The Mindset Builder
Focuses on long-term personal and professional growth
Helps individuals develop confidence and problem-solving skills
Encourages self-reflection and leadership development
Offers guidance, wisdom, and career insights
Training: The Skill Developer
Focuses on practical, hands-on learning
Breaks down complex tasks into clear, actionable steps
Ensures team members understand processes and expectations
Increases efficiency, consistency, and business success
One without the other? It creates a gap.
👉 Mentorship without training is inspiring but lacks structure.
👉 Training without mentorship is informative but lacks connection.
👉 The best leaders combine both to build strong, capable teams.
Why Training is My Leadership Challenge (and Maybe Yours Too)
For me, training sometimes feels slow. I want to jump straight to problem-solving instead of walking someone through each step. I tend to expect people to figure things out on their own—because that’s how I personally learn best.
But great leadership isn’t about how I learn best—it’s about how they learn best. And that requires patience, repetition, and structured training processes.
If you’re a business owner, manager, or leader, ask yourself:
Do you naturally lean more toward mentorship or training?
Are your employees or team members truly set up for success?
Have you created an environment where both learning and leadership thrive?
How to Strengthen Both Mentorship & Training in Leadership
If you’re working to improve your leadership development (like I am), here are a few strategies:
1️⃣ Slow Down & Be Present. Not everyone learns at the same pace—and that’s okay. Take the time to explain, demonstrate, and clarify.
2️⃣ Create a Clear Training Process. Mentorship can be fluid, but training requires structure. Make sure your team knows exactly what’s expected.
3️⃣ Check for Understanding. Just because you’ve said it doesn’t mean it landed. Ask questions, provide feedback, and encourage learning.
4️⃣ Celebrate Progress. Training isn’t just about mastering a skill—it’s about building confidence along the way. Recognize effort, not just results.
Leadership Growth Starts Here
The best leaders aren’t just mentors. They aren’t just trainers. They balance both to create real impact.
If you’re working on strengthening your leadership skills, you’re not alone. Growth takes awareness, effort, and accountability.
And if you ever need a reminder—you’ve got Moxie rooting for you. 💛