surround yourself with mentors

In the show Game of Thrones, Season 4 Episode 3 to be precise, the Lannisters stand over the body of Joffrey Baratheon in the Great Sept of Baelor (he was previously poisoned at his own wedding). 

Tywin Lannister approaches his grandson Tommen Baratheon and asks him, “Your brother is dead. Do you know what that means?” Tommen responds that it means he will become the next king. “What kind of king do you think you’ll be?”, inquires Tywin. “A good king,” replies Tommen, unsure if he answered it correctly. Tywin responds that he concurs and tells him that he has the right temperament for being one, and further asks him, “But what makes a good king? Hmm? What is a good king’s single most important quality?” Tommen lists a few qualities one by one: holiness… justice… strength, but Tywin dismisses each of them with an example of a bad king who personified that quality. Tywin then questions him, “What did they all lack?” Tommen things long and hard, and answers, “Wisdom.” Tywin animatedly agrees. With more certainty now, Tommen responds, “Wisdom is what makes a good king.” Tywin probes further, “Yes! But what is wisdom? Hmm?” He then asks Tommen an extremely difficult question, and tells him that he has no significant experience and knowledge that a king must have to which Tommen agrees. Tywin then adds, “A wise king knows what he knows and what he doesn’t. You’re young. A wise young king listens to his counselors and heeds their advice until he comes of age. And the wisest kings continue to listen to them long afterwards.” 

If you aspire to be a great leader and a changemaker, then you need to surround yourself with smart advisors and listen to them. Personal growth and self-improvement is a never-ending journey. No matter how old, successful, or wealthy we get, we always need mentors by our side. We need their constant guidance and influence and the lessons that they’ve learned from their own respective journeys in order to make the right choices and decisions for ourselves. Without proper mentorship and instruction, our failure and downfall is inevitable.