Mentors Guide Transformation: Unlock Your Potential Through Mindset

Every generation brings young leaders who redefine the boundaries of greatness. In the chess world, one such amazing person is Gukesh Dommaraju.  At only 18 years old, he has achieved something incredible - he is the world's fifth-best chess player and became the youngest world chess champion ever by winning against Ding Liren in an exciting match in Singapore. 

Gukesh's amazing success isn't just about being naturally good at chess. His story teaches us important lessons about how to achieve our dreams. His journey shows us how important it is to have a clear goal, good mentorship, and the right way of thinking. We can learn a lot from how he reached the top.

Every successful person has someone who helps them grow. For Gukesh, this person was Indian chess grandmaster Vishnu Prasanna. From 2017 to 2023, Vishnu not only taught Gukesh better chess moves but also helped him develop a stronger mind.

Vishnu knew something very important about successful people: being good at something isn't enough - you need to think like a winner. According to this article in The Athletic, he often talked with Gukesh about how extreme athletes think, comparing him to people like Alex Honnold, a famous mountain climber known for staying calm in difficult situations.

This is true for becoming successful in any field. You can learn new skills and try different ways to do things, but having the right mindset is most important. If you want to achieve bigger things, find mentors who not only teach you skills but also help you think better.

One of Vishnu's best pieces of advice was about the importance of mindset over techniques. He said something very wise: “Chess techniques come and go and can be played around with, so there is no one right technique.  But there can be a right mindset that promises performance.”

This is very valuable advice for everyone. In work and life, ways of doing things keep changing. What worked well yesterday might not work tomorrow. But if you stay positive, adapt to changes, and keep trying your best, you will succeed.

Chess didn't just help Gukesh become better at the game; it changed who he is as a person. His father, Dr. Rajinikanth, noticed how his son changed from a playful, sometimes difficult child into a calm and thoughtful young person.

This change shows us something important: to achieve big things, we need to be disciplined and emotionally mature. Gukesh's story teaches us that before we can help others grow, we must first learn to control ourselves.

Gukesh's journey gives us a clear path to follow if we want to achieve great things. Here are three key steps to reach higher levels:

1. Surround Yourself with Mentors – Look for people who believe in you and push you to think differently.

2. Prioritize Mindset Over Tactics – Ways of doing things may change, but a winning attitude always helps.

3. Achieve Personal Transformation Through Discipline – Success requires patience, discipline, and emotional control.

Gukesh Dommaraju isn't just great at chess; he teaches us about leadership. His story shows that success comes from having a clear vision, good mentorship, the right mindset, and personal growth.

Are you ready to take the next step?

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Credit: This article by author Brian Dodd, from briandoddonleadership.com, content has been edited for style, thank you to the author. https://briandoddonleadership.com/2025/02/12/3-things-it-takes-to-go-to-the-next-level-lessons-from-chess-prodigy-gukesh-dommaraju/