We often say that leadership is a role you take on, not just a title you earn. People we profiled in The Engineer’s Guide to Authentic Leadership used their ideas, values, expertise and beliefs to build something new. Some students in our leadership course, which became the basis for Leadership for Engineers, did the same in their lives.
So can you.
Not once you find investors or get a patent or write a grant, but today. Structures are already in place for you to lead others as a mentor. Here’s an example.
Through the University of St. Thomas, we are connected to an organization called ThreeSixty Journalism. The program encourages high school and college students, especially low-income students and teens of color, to pursue careers in journalism. At its 25th anniversary celebration on April 16, 2026, ThreeSixty Journalism honored Georgia Fort for her reporting on major events in the Twin Cities.
The academics and professionals who coach and encourage ThreeSixty Journalism students include well known and respected names in the industry. But they don’t need a famous byline to have an impact. ThreeSixty invites all kinds of people with relevant skills to inspire the next generation of journalists.
You can probably find a comparable group in your field. Start with your professional association, a nearby college or an online community. Mentoring is not filling empty vessels with knowledge but lighting lamps to help others see better.
You can lead right now. Where will you share your light?