We know what mentorship is. We know it’s important. We’ve read the quotes, seen the research, and felt the impact in our own lives. But in my work with club leaders, I’ve learned that the hardest part of mentorship isn’t understanding why it matters, it’s figuring out how to actually do it.
How do you create a mentorship culture that’s more than a feel-good idea?
How do you build it into the rhythm of club life, without adding “one more thing” to an already full plate?
How do you help your team mentor in a way that feels authentic, not forced?
That’s what this article is about. Let’s talk about how to make mentorship real, practical, and transformational in the club industry - one conversation, one relationship, one small moment at a time.
“The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image, but giving them the opportunity to create themselves.” — Steven Spielberg
One of the biggest mindset shifts in mentorship is realizing it’s not about replication, it’s about cultivation. Your goal as a mentor isn’t to create a mini version of yourself. It’s to help someone else grow into their unique potential.
In club environments, this often gets lost. A dining room manager teaches a new supervisor “how we’ve always done it,” rather than coaching them through decision-making, critical thinking, or leadership nuance. It’s easy to fall into teaching tasks instead of mentoring people.
But mentorship that empowers growth starts with curiosity and trust. One of the most powerful things a mentor can do is ask:
What do you think would work?
What’s your take on this situation?
Where do you want to grow next, and how can I help you get there?
But, HOW?
- Train leaders to coach through questions instead of giving answers.
- Encourage storytelling - sharing experiences, not just instructions.
- Create a safe space for mentees to try, fail, reflect, and try again.
TRY: Meet with your F&B Supervisor (or any emerging leader) once a week, not to review checklists or schedules, but to talk about leadership, communication, and how to navigate real-life challenges. A consistent 30-minute conversation focused on growth and reflection can build more confidence and long-term capability than any formal training program ever could.
“A mentor is not someone who walks ahead of us to show us how they did it. A mentor walks alongside us to show us what we can do.” — Simon Sinek
This quote captures the heart of mentorship. It’s not about hierarchy, it’s about presence. In the hustle of day-to-day operations, it’s easy to feel like you don’t have time to “be a mentor.” But mentorship doesn’t have to mean hour-long meetings or formal pairings. It’s often found in the small moments of walking alongside someone - checking in, asking how they’re doing, giving honest feedback, and showing belief in their potential.
But, HOW?
- Integrate mentorship into a daily rhythm: a five-minute walk after a shift, a pre-shift leadership tip, or a follow-up text after a tough day.
- Encourage mid-level leaders to take ownership of mentoring newer staff - not as a task, but as a leadership opportunity.
- Normalize informal mentorship: it doesn’t have to be a program to be powerful.
TRY: End shifts with a growth prompt. Ask, “What’s one thing you learned today?” or “What would you do differently next time?” Little questions build big leadership thinking.
“The people closest to me determine my level of success or failure… If I want to go to the highest level, I can do it only with the help of other people.” — John C. Maxwell
Mentorship isn’t just about developing others, it also amplifies your own leadership impact. When you lift others, you lift the organization. But to do that well, mentorship can’t be an afterthought. It must be built into how your club thinks, operates, and grows.
But, HOW?
- Recognize mentors publicly. Share stories in pre-shift huddles or staff meetings. Celebrate those who invest in others.
- Train your managers to mentor, not manage.
- Make mentorship a leadership expectation, not an optional extra.
TRY: Build a mentorship tree. Pair every department head with a mid-level leader, and every mid-level leader with an entry-level employee. Don’t over-formalize it, just build a rhythm of connection and conversation.
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” — Benjamin Franklin
Great mentorship is participatory. It’s not about lectures, it’s about experience. One of the most effective mentorship strategies is giving people real opportunities to lead, then supporting them through the process.
But, HOW?
- Assign stretch roles or mini-projects: let a new staff member lead a small event, coordinate a service recovery, or present a new idea at a team meeting.
- Invite mentees into conversations they normally wouldn’t be part of, such as vendor meetings, member feedback reviews, or post-event recaps.
- Debrief after service. Ask what they observed, how they felt, and what they’d do differently.
TRY: Pair a newer employee with a more experienced team member to co-lead a short-term “growth project”. It should be something meaningful but manageable, like redesigning a menu, improving locker room amenities, or creating a staff appreciation initiative. This kind of shared work builds confidence, collaboration, and mentorship organically - no formal structure required.
“The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to them their own.” — Benjamin Disraeli
At its core, mentorship is an act of belief. It’s about helping someone see something in themselves they didn’t yet know was there. That’s what makes mentorship so powerful, and so personal.
But, HOW?
- Take time to name strengths in others. Say it out loud. It matters.
- Use 1:1 meetings to focus on growth, not just performance.
- Ask your team: Where do you want to grow next? and then help create that path.
TRY: Make it a habit to tell someone on your team, “I see leadership in you,” even if they don’t see it yet. In his TED Talk “Everyday Leadership,” Drew Dudley shares the power of what he calls “lollipop moments” (small acts of encouragement that can profoundly shape someone’s life). Watch the short video for inspiration. When that kind of intentional encouragement becomes part of your daily mindset, not just an occasional moment, mentorship becomes culture, and culture becomes contagious.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a formal program to mentor. You need intention, presence, and a willingness to lift others as you climb. So the question isn’t whether you have time for mentorship. The question is, how can you build it into the way you already lead?
Start small. One person. One conversation. One opportunity to say: “I see something in you, and I want to help you grow it.”
That’s how mentorship becomes culture. That’s how clubs build stronger teams, deeper loyalty, and more meaningful leadership at every level.
