Purpose: This article illustrates the transformational nature of servant leadership and its capacity to empower and develop others. In it, I recount my close relationship with a high school mentor who embodied the key tenants of Greenleaf's (1970) servant leadership philosophy. I also advocate for others to provide mentorship and support in a similar fashion. Design/methodology/approach: This Origins contribution was constructed as a reflective narrative in response to a mentorship experience earlier in my life. Findings: A mentorship experience from my youth profoundly shaped my approach to leadership and teamwork that I still embrace to this day. Readers are asked to consider the power of servant leadership in their own lives. Originality/value: Students of leadership can utilize this reflective essay as a touchstone for further classroom discussion.