Forget the Lone Ranger Myth: The Real Secret to Leadership Success

American folklore loves to glorify the rugged individualist—the fearless frontiersman who conquered the wild, the self-made hero who “went it alone.” Think Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, or even young Abraham Lincoln. The popular story tells us they stood tall, facing the wilderness, and single-handedly shaped history.

Well… poppycock.

Don’t get me wrong. These folks were remarkable. But here’s the unvarnished truth: None of them did it solo. Every step of the way, they had help, advice, guidance, and support. The myth of the lone trailblazer is just that—a myth.

The reality of leadership is far messier, far more collaborative, and far more rewarding. Leadership isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you learn… and it’s hard—scratch that, it’s impossible to master on your own. Even the best leaders didn’t get there by trial and error alone. They learned from others.

So, what’s the smartest way to fast-track your leadership journey? Surround yourself with great mentors who’ve been there, done that, and are willing to show you the ropes.

Rule #17 – Find a Leadership Mentor and Learn From Them

You might be thinking, “Yeah, that sounds nice, but the people I look up to would never have time for me.” Again… poppycock.

The truth is, great leaders love mentoring. Why? Because deep learning happens when you teach. When you ask someone to mentor you, you’re giving them the highest compliment possible—you’re saying, “I think you’re extraordinary, and I want to learn what makes you so.”

Imagine for a second: What if you were approached by someone asking for your mentorship? Would you be insulted? Most likely, you’d feel honored. You’d want to help.

Worst-case scenario? They say their schedule is packed but offer to refer you to someone else. Even in that case, you’re already ahead. And if that fails, keep going—there’s no shortage of people who’ve got wisdom to share. You just have to ask.

Corollary 17.1 – Mentoring Others is Part of Your Responsibility

And don’t think, “I’m too early in my career to mentor anyone.” That’s a cop-out.

If you’re even reading this and willing to take a single action toward leadership growth, you’re already miles ahead of most. When you start mentoring others, a surprising thing happens: You learn more about leadership than you ever thought possible.

Why? Because explaining your thinking forces you to dig deep. When you teach, you move your knowledge from something you do automatically to something you understand consciously.

In fact, some of the biggest “aha” moments I’ve had about leadership only came when I had to explain the “why” to someone else.

The best leaders don’t hoard their knowledge. They share it. That’s the secret sauce that turns good managers into great leaders.

ACTION ITEM 17 – By the end of next week, identify a leadership mentor and sit down with them.

Don’t overthink it. Send an email, grab a coffee, or schedule a Zoom call. Ask them what they’ve learned along the way and how you can grow from their experience.

Your leadership journey won’t be solitary. It’ll be filled with shared stories, lessons, and insights that push you to the next level.