Mentorship's Invaluable Role in Leadership feat. Dr. Debbie Heiser | Ep. 49 | The Science of Leadership

In this episode of The Science of Leadership, Tom Collins is joined by Dr. Debbie Heiser, an applied developmental psychologist, founder of The Mentor Project, and author of The Mentorship Edge. They explore the science and power of mentorship, delving into its core components and why it's vital for leadership development and legacy building.

Dr. Heiser defines mentorship through five key principles, stemming from the developmental milestone of generativity—the innate desire to give back in midlife. These principles include:

• Generative Match: The mentor must genuinely desire to give, and the mentee must be receptive to receiving what's offered.
• Intrinsic Motivation: Mentorship is driven by internal rewards, not external compensation. If compensation is involved, it's coaching or advising, not true mentorship.
• Meaningful Connection: A genuine liking and mutual investment in each other's success is essential.
• Trust: Both parties must feel safe sharing vulnerabilities without fear of exploitation or negative repercussions.
• Clear Goals: Mentorship is focused on specific, evolving goals that guide the relationship

Dr. Heiser emphasizes that mentorship allows individuals to tap into the "wisdom of others" and broaden their paths. She critiques the "gamification" of mentorship in corporate settings, where external incentives can undermine the intrinsic motivation that defines true mentorship. She differentiates mentorship from advising or coaching, noting that while one can wear many hats, the core generative drive makes mentorship unique.

A fascinating concept explored is "bread crumb legacy" and the "legacy tree". Dr. Heiser shares the inspiring story of Nobel Prize winner Bob Lefkowitz, who mapped his "legacy tree" of mentors and mentees, discovering his impact far beyond his immediate circle. This highlights how even small actions can have a significant, lasting impact.

The episode concludes with actionable advice: "look to your left and look to your right". Recognize that everyone is a potential mentor or mentee, and approach these interactions with awareness, openness, and curiosity.

To learn more about Dr. Debbie Heiser's work, visit MentorProject.org and https://deborahheiser.com/ and check out her book, The Mentorship Edge.

 

To learn more about the Science of Leadership, visit https://www.fourstarleaders.com/

 

References

Heiser, D. (2024). The Mentorship Edge: Creating Maximum Impact through Lateral and Hierarchical Mentoring. Wiley.