THE MENTOR LEADER

Secrets to Building People and Teams That Win Consistently

By Tony Dungy
with Nathan Whitaker
 CHAPTER 1
THE MANDATE OF A MENTOR LEADER:
FOCUS ON SIGNIFICANCE

“Relationships are ultimately what matter – our

relationships with God and with other people.
The key to becoming a mentor leader is
learning how to put other people first. You see,
the question that burns in the heart of the
mentor leader is simply this: What can I do to
make other people better, to make them all
that God created them to be?”
(Dungy, 2010, p. 5).

“Mentor Leaders Keep
an Eternal Perspective”
(Dungy, 2010, p. 13)
“It takes time to build
mentoring relationships. It
takes time to add value to
other people’s lives”
(Dungy, 2010, p. 14)
“It may take time before the results of our
leadership are fully known. Our talents and
our treasures may pay dividends so far down
the road we may never see the outcome. But
with the faith that comes from doing the right
thing at the right time in the right way, the
mentor leader knows that the payoff will be
great – and possibly eternal”
(Dungy, 2010, p. 16)
“Making a difference, through one-on-
one mentoring relationships that truly
embrace and demonstrate the value of a
single life – that’s what mentor
leadership is all about”
(Dungy, 2010, p. 12)
 CHAPTER 2
THE MIND-SET OF A MENTOR LEADER:
“IT’S NOT ABOUT ME”

“The principal focus of service-directed leadership must be on

a point beyond ourselves. Such leadership must be other
directed and other inspired. Mentor leadership must be
grounded in and springing from an emphasis on service as its
primary focus. Mentor leaders desire to help those they are
privileged to lead to be better in whatever roles and
responsibilities they have. Truly serving others requires putting
ourselves and our desires aside while looking for ways and
opportunities to do what is best for others”
(Dungy, 2010, p. 39)

VISION, MISSION, & VALUES
“Vision and mission are
dynamic components of the
direction God wants us to go.
First cast the vision.
Then establish the mission.
Then get moving!”
(Dungy, 2010, p. 37-38)
“Our values will determine how we as
leaders approach, care for, and develop
our mentoring relationships.
Taken as a whole, our vision, mission,
and values tell the world who we are,
what is important to us, and what guides
our lives.
For mentor leaders, our values will clearly
demonstrate that we are committed to
the advancement and well-being of other
people – those we are called to serve and
lead” (Dungy, 2010, p. 38).
 CHAPTER 3
THE MATURITY OF A MENTOR LEADER:
A LOOK WITHIN

“In order to become an effective mentor leader, in whatever setting, it

is important to take a look inside yourself. Identify what drives and
motivates you, the areas in which you’re naturally gifted, and the
areas that are more challenging and thus will take more self-
application to conquer. The ability to take an honest look at yourself
and examine who you are – what makes you tick, what makes you do
the things you do – is a mark of maturity for a mentor leader”
(Dungy, 2010, p. 45).

“The unexamined life is not worth living”

-Socrates
(Dungy, 2010, p. 45)
“Becoming what we are
meant to be is a journey worth
taking – for all of us. It’s a
journey that will free us from
the hold of the past. It’s a
journey that will empower us
for roles in the lives of others,
as mentors, to help them
become all that they were
meant to be – under God’s
direction, guidance,
encouragement, and grace, all
along the way” (Dungy, 2010, p. 53).
“It is ultimately up to each of us to
determine the proper balance between our
priorities and our passions, based on our
understanding of God’s direction in our
lives, our motivations, and all the other
factors that define our individual situations”
(Dungy, 2010, p. 60)
“Part of knowing our strengths and
understanding our weaknesses is making a
commitment to growth. People respect a
leader who doesn’t have all the answers as
long as they can see that the leader is
committed to personal growth”
(Dungy, 2010, p. 63)
 CHAPTER 4
THE MARKS OF A MENTOR LEADER:
CHARACTERISTICS THAT MATTER

“Character is the foundation on which all leadership is built.”

(Dungy, 2010, p. 69)

“To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved.”

-George MacDonald
(Dungy, 2010, p. 71)
 Mentor Leaders…
 Are competent
 Remain focused on integrity
“Integrity is one of the essential
building blocks- if not the
cornerstone – of any leader’s
success, but especially that of the
mentor leaders, who desire to add
value to the lives of those they
lead. Leadership skills must be
built on a proper foundation.”
(Dungy, 2010, pp. 72-73)
 Are secure in their own skin
“Mentor leaders need to exhibit
confidence. Not a false bravado, but an
inner sense of security…” (Dungy, 2010, p. 74).
 Must be authentic
“Be real.
Be authentic.
Be sincere.
People will know when you’re not.
And they will know when you are –
and be drawn to that.”
(Dungy, 2010, p. 76)
 Leadership Attributes
of Mentor Leaders
 Mentor leaders demonstrate courage and are willing to lead by example
(Dungy, 2010, p. 77)

“Leading by example is a powerful way for mentor leaders to forge strong bonds
with the people who follow them” (Dungy, 2010, p. 79)

 Mentor leaders keep the vision and mission out front (Dungy, 2010, p. 79)
 Mentor leaders exercise faith (Dungy, 2010, p. 80)
“As leaders, we must lead with confidence in our shared vision and in the future. If we’re not
optimistic about what awaits us in the future, no one else will be either” (Dungy, 2010, p. 85).

 Mentor leaders are always willing to examine and change paradigms

(Dungy, 2010, p. 85)

“The key is being wiling to listen – and act” (Dungy, 2010, p. 86).
 Relational Qualities
of Mentor Leaders
“If trustworthy traits and leadership attributes are the basic building blocks for
leadership, then relational qualities are the connective elements between those
traits and attributes and the people with whom we interact.” (Dungy, 2010, p. 86)
 Mentor leaders are accountable (Dungy, 2010, p. 86)
 Mentor leaders understand the importance of being available and approachable
(Dungy, 2010, p. 89)
 Mentor leaders exhibit loyalty to those they lead (Dungy, 2010, p. 91)

 Mentor leaders shepherd and protect their followers (Dungy, 2010, p. 92)

“Character – the fundamental mark of effective leadership” (Dungy, 2010, p. 95).

 CHAPTER 5
THE MOMENTS OF A MENTOR LEADER:
INFLUENCE AND IMPACT

“Mentor leaders look for opportunities in life to make an impact, because those
opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others will always be present.”
(Dungy, 2010, p. 99)

“You stand where no one else stands. Open your eyes and your heart and look
for opportunities. Those opportunities matter to someone;
and because of that, they matter to God.”
(Dungy, 2010, p. 100)
 PLATFORMS:
CHANGING THE WORLD, ONE LIFE AT A TIME
“We are surrounded by countless moments in which we can influence others.”
(Dungy, 2010, p. 100)

“One impact could be as simple – and as profound – as changing one life.

And in that moment of changing a life, we will begin to leave our legacy.”
(Dungy, 2010, pp. 100-101)

“It’s up to you to use whatever platform you’ve given to be a positive

influence in other people’s lives.”
(Dungy, 2010, p. 100)

UNEXPECTED OPPORTUNITIES
“Opportunities to make a difference
– to have an impact – may come
when least expected.
Be ready for them.
And never underestimate the
difference you can make in
someone’s life. It might even be a
difference that lasts for eternity.”
(Dungy, 2010, p. 111)
INDIRECT OPPORTUNITIES: ROLE MODELING
“As a mentor leader, you must be aware that you
are also a role model. So live intentionally and
remember that whatever settings you find yourself
in, a lot of eyes will be on you, seeing things you
don’t even realize you’re modeling”
(Dungy, 2010, p. 116)
DIRECT OPPORTUNITIES: MENTORING
“…anyone can be a mentor leader. And every
mentoring opportunity comes with enormous
potential significance, whether we see it at the time
or not. And it might even have eternal significance.”
(Dungy, 2010, p. 120)
 CHAPTER 6
THE MODEL OF A MENTOR LEADER:
LIVING THE MESSAGE

“…you will be known for what you model for others

– through your words, your actions, your faith, and your heart.
For eternity.”
(Dungy, 2010, p. 124)
 KNOWN BY YOUR WORDS
KNOWN BY YOUR FAITH
AND ACTIONS
“Faith is the foundation and strength of the
“You can tell the world who you are, mentor leader, the guiding principle
but the you they see in action will be behind everything we do.”
(Dungy, 2010, p. 135)
the you they remember.”
(Dungy, 2010, p. 124)

“The truth about our faith can KNOWN BY YOUR LEGACY

manifest itself in a variety of ways,
most notably in how we act when we
think no one is watching.”
(Dungy, 2010, p. 125)
“The legacy we leave is a composite of the
many things that guide the daily steps
of the mentor leader.
(Dungy, 2010, p. 136)
 CHAPTER 7
THE MEANS OF A MENTOR LEADER:
MAXIMIZING TEAM PERFORMANCE

“Ordinary effort and processes will lead to ordinary results if people are working
only as individuals, or merely working alongside each other,
rather than working with each other.

To achieve extraordinary results, you need a team of people doing ordinary

things in a way that complements one another’s efforts. Working together is
what leads to exceptional results.”

(Dungy, 2010, p. 158)

 CHAPTER 8
THE METHODS OF A MENTOR LEADER:
THE SEVEN E’S OF ENHANCING POTENTIAL

“Blessed is the leader who seeks the best for those he serves.”
-Author Unknown
(Dungy, 2010, p. 165)
 THE SEVEN E’S OF ENHANCING POTENTIAL
 ENGAGE “If you do no engage with those you serve, you will never
understand them or know enough about them to be able to have a
positive effect in their lives” (Dungy, 2010, p. 166).
 EDUCATE “Because mentor leadership is all about helping others
become the best they can be, it is built on a foundation of teaching,
helping, and guiding” (Dungy, 2010, p. 171).
 EQUIP “Equipping goes hand in hand with educating if we want people to
perform to their highest potential” (Dungy, 2010, p. 174).
 THE SEVEN E’S OF ENHANCING POTENTIAL
 ENCOURAGE “Encouragement is the fuel that powers our efforts to
engage, educate, and equip” (Dungy, 2010, p. 177).
 EMPOWER (Dungy, 2010, p. 181)
 ENERGIZE “Great leaders energize and inspire those they lead. Even as
they face their own daily struggles and stresses, mentor leaders look for
ways to energize and motivate the people around them” (Dungy, 2010, p. 185).
 ELEVATE “…raising up leaders is the truly selfless goal of every mentor
leader, the culmination of focusing on others. To elevate your followers
means to help them reach their God-given potential…” (Dungy, 2010, p. 185).
 CHAPTER 9
THE MEASURE OF A MENTOR LEADER:
BUILDING OTHER LIVES OF IMPACT

“…the success of a mentor leader can be measured with things of

significance: lives of impact, lives that are better
because of your leadership.”
(Dungy, 2010, p. 194)

THE JOURNEY:
ADDING VALUE EVERY MOMENT
“The true meaning of life is to
plant trees, under whose shade
you do not expect to sit.”
-Nelson Henderson
(Dungy, 2010, p. 194)
THE FINISH:
LIVING A LIFE OF SIGNIFICANCE
“We always have a platform. There is always
someone whose life we can affect – even if
we’re not aware at the time that we’re doing it.”
“So we press on, with faith in things unseen,
knowing that God walks with us and before us,
guiding our steps as we use every opportunity
to change lives around us. Who knows which
life will be different - for all eternity? It very
possibly could depend on us.”
(Dungy, 2010, pp. 202-203)
 REFERENCE
Dungy, T. & Whitaker, N. (2010). The mentor leader: Secrets to building
people and teams that win consistently. United States: Tyndale
House Publishers, Inc.