Generations at Work 020: Grace and Grit: The Art of Mentoring Young Leaders
Oct 21, 2025
In this discussion, Sue Enquist, a legendary former UCLA softball coach and mentor for emerging leaders, shares her insights on effective mentorship. She emphasizes the importance of listening without ego and balancing rest with rigor for sustainable performance. Sue discusses strategies for fostering belief in young leaders and offers practical habits like gratitude and team awareness. She explores peer mentoring dynamics and the necessity of creating psychological safety, all aimed at bridging generational gaps in both sports and corporate environments.
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Rest And Rigor Together
- Balance rest and rigor instead of demanding nonstop intensity from high performers.
- Use strategic rest to sustain performance when optimal output is rare.
Do The Why Before The What
- After teaching a concept, immediately ask what they heard and how they'll apply it.
- Let learners make it relevant and forecast barriers so they internalize the change.
Quiet Listening Turned A Season Around
- Sue followed Coach Wooden's advice to sit quietly and tell a struggling player, "I'm here to listen."
- The player opened up and transformed her performance, leading to a championship.
