During the second module of S.M.I.L.E’s Executive Mentoring Program for Youth (EMPY), the mentees in the Career, Business, and Social Enterprise cohorts participated in an insightful session on the Effective Leadership and Mentoring Framework. This session was facilitated by the dynamic S.M.I.L.E President, Mrs. Bimpe Bamgbose-Martins (BBM).
BBM began by explaining that leadership is a multifaceted concept. Through powerful quotes, personal anecdotes, and video illustrations, she explored the essence of leadership, dispelling common myths and misconceptions. She emphasized that leadership is not confined to formal roles, job titles, or positions but is defined by service, influence, impact, and transformation.
She reminded the mentees that true leaders do not require titles or positions of authority to lead and make a difference. Authentic leadership, she noted, involves inspiring, influencing, and guiding others toward a shared vision, regardless of formal authority.
BBM encouraged mentees to strive to become authentic, transformational, visionary, and servant leaders. She discussed various leadership styles and highlighted the key traits and qualities necessary for transformational leadership.
Additionally, she emphasized that leadership skills are critical for driving and sustaining personal success, growth, and impact. She highlighted the importance of these skills as foundational to success in mentees’ careers, businesses, and professional journeys. She provided practical steps to help mentees develop their leadership capabilities, urging them to continuously refine these skills.
BBM further stressed that employers highly value leadership qualities that align with achieving strategic goals. She encouraged mentees in the Business and Social Enterprise cohorts to embody distinct leadership traits that can drive success while shaping their organizations’ values, culture, direction, priorities, and strategies.
During the mentoring segment, BBM defined mentoring as a developmental relationship in which an experienced mentor shares knowledge, skills, values, and perspectives to foster the growth and development of a less-experienced mentee or protégé. She explained that mentoring is one of the most effective tools for transferring knowledge and facilitating both personal and intellectual growth for all parties involved. However, she cautioned that effective mentoring requires mentees to be faithful, available, and teachable (F.A.T.).
She concluded the session with a call to action, urging mentees to always ACT—take initiative, enact meaningful change, and share learnings with others. Mentees left the session feeling inspired, empowered, and equipped to embrace leadership roles and build mutually beneficial mentoring relationships.
A heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Bimpe Bamgbose-Martins for an impactful session filled with actionable insights and inspiration!
