Believe

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"One of the greatest values of mentors is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see and help them navigate a course to their destination."

John C. Maxwell

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What if the secret to transforming your team isn’t just more pressure, processes, or strategy but believe in your people?

I’ve been watching The Bear and Ted Lasso recently, and on the surface, they couldn’t be more different. One lead character is loud, chaotic, stressful. The other is optimistic, kind, almost annoyingly positive.

But underneath, they’re telling the same story.

People don’t change because you pressure them harder.

They change when the culture around them makes growth possible. When their leaders trust them an believe in them.

In The Bear, we see what happens when talent exists without psychological safety. Skills are there, passion is there but without trust, clarity, and respect, everything stays on the edge of collapse.

In Ted Lasso, belief comes first. Not blind optimism but a real, consistent message: I see you, I trust you, and I believe in you and I believe that you can grow.

That belief changes behavior. And behavior changes performance.

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Believe

One of the most powerful moments in Ted Lasso is the “Believe” speech. Ted tells his team that “Belief, doesn’t just happen because you hang something on a wall It comes from the head, the heart, and the gut.” He unpacks what belief really means - not just optimism, but a deep conviction that I matter, we matter, we can get better together.

Belief isn’t a slogan. It’s the emotional foundation of culture.

When people feel truly believed in, by their leaders, by their peers, they take risks, they grow and contribute in ways they wouldn’t otherwise. Belief fuels resilience, hope, collaboration and the confidence to try again when things don’t go perfectly. It allows you to fail and feel safe.

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Mentoring

This is where mentoring becomes critical.

In his book “Mentoring 101” John Maxwell writes that many leaders treat people according to the “number” they assign them. Average performers get average treatment. But great leaders don’t work that way. They give people their best even when those people aren’t at their best. Not by lowering standards, but by never lowering respect. By choosing dignity, consistency, and the high road.

That kind of mentoring sends a powerful signal: your current performance does not define your value.

And when people feel genuinely respected and when they like and trust their leader they tend to rise to the expectations placed on them.

Mentoring is how culture becomes real. It’s how values move from slogan and word documents into everyday behavior. It’s often the difference between people protecting themselves or stepping up.

Great organizations aren’t built by fixing people.

They’re built by creating environments where people can get better and are supported while they do so.

Sometimes the biggest leadership move isn’t strategy or pressure, It’s belief, backed by mentoring, repeated every day.

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"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way."

John C. Maxwell

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So, Leaders: How are you showing belief in your team today?

Are you mentoring, supporting, and believing in the people around you—even when it’s hard?

I’d love to hear your experiences. Let’s start a conversation about how belief can truly transform organizations.