8 Great Books on Mentoring Others

Mentors help others navigate the path to success in their careers and personal lives. This worthy endeavor is also a huge responsibility.

Thousands of pages have been filled with advice on mentoring, but these eight books will help you to maximize your impact whether you have been mentoring for weeks or decades.

1. The Mentor’s Guide: Facilitating Effective Learning Relationships by Lois J. Zachary

Internationally recognized expert on mentoring, Lois Zachary, shares fresh insights on the purpose of mentoring from her years of learning to help people across all industries become more effective leaders. This thoughtful book includes practical tools, hands-on exercises, and resources to help us get the most from our entire mentoring relationship.

2. Mentoring 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know by John C. Maxwell

This quick read by leadership expert John Maxwell will help us understand the importance of mentoring, discern who we should (and shouldn’t!) be mentoring, and how to most effectively help people to grow. If you are just starting out your mentoring journey, this book will quickly become your go-to reference.

3. Elements Of Mentoring: 75 Practices of Master Mentors by W. Brad Johnson

With short sections full of pithy truths for mentors, this is an excellent manual for your mentoring relationship. This comprehensive guide to the entire mentoring experience includes advice ranging from how to set up a mentoring relationship, bridging cultural gaps, and how to mentor with integrity. Helpful key takeaways at the conclusion of each section offer practical next steps to becoming a master mentor.

4. 10 Steps to Successful Mentoring by Wendy Axelrod

If you are looking to become an incredible mentor who leaves a legacy, this book is for you. Wendy Axelrod draws on over twenty years of experience to show you how to broaden your mentees’ perspectives, sustain momentum, and drive significant growth. This book is designed specifically to help mentors excel and includes proven approaches and real-life examples that will leave you both equipped and inspired.

5. The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stanier

No matter how long you have been mentoring, this witty and insightful book will help you learn how to take your leadership to the next level. By guiding readers through seven thoughtful questions, Bungay Stanier’s simple but powerful techniques will help you unlock potential in everyone you mentor.

Steeped in behavioral research, this book has a conversational tone that is a much-needed departure from the conventional voice of most how-to books, and it will leave you feeling refreshed and empowered.

6. The Talent Code: Greatness Isn’t Born. It’s Grown. Here’s How. by Daniel Coyle

Journalist and New York Times bestselling author Daniel Coyle examines the three key elements that can help anyone to develop their gifts and excel: deep practice, ignition, and master coaching. Mentors looking to maximize their impact will learn from cutting-edge neurology, firsthand research, and real-world examples. Greatness needs to be cultivated and nourished, and all leaders can learn from this groundbreaking book.

7. The Mentor Leader: Secrets to Building People and Teams That Win Consistently by Tony Dungy and Nathan Whitaker

Award-winning NFL coach Tony Dungy’s unique philosophy will help you learn how to build lasting teams, grow in servant leadership, and leave a godly legacy. You’ll learn seven keys to leadership in this memorable book that will help you stay true to your values and grow in influence. From the field to the boardroom and beyond, you’ll learn how to recover from mistakes, discipline with integrity, and how to effectively inspire others.

8. Identity Leadership: To Lead Others, You Must First Lead Yourself by Stedman Graham

To best lead others, we must first examine ourselves. Through his thoughtful questions,

New York Times bestselling author Stedman Graham will help you to grow in self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and discipline. Discover a road map for personal growth that you can easily apply to any mentoring relationship. Complete with personal examples and practical tools, this book will help you hone your personal vision and help you to become a more well-rounded leader.

As mentors, we have an opportunity to influence others for God’s kingdom. Finding the right tools can accelerate our growth and help us find fulfillment.

For more on improving mentoring relationships and growing in leadership, download our 7 Practices for Overcoming your Leadership Struggles.