Running a successful business is a huge undertaking. There are countless things to consider, from legal and financial issues to marketing and branding. You really do need all the help you can get. A mentor can teach you how to reach your goals and create a sustainable business model that will grow over time. The best mentors are those who have experienced success in their own businesses or careers. They can offer insights that are unique from what you can find online or in books. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why every entrepreneur needs a mentor to reach new levels of success.
What is a Mentor?
A mentor is an individual who has specialised knowledge and is able to advise, guide, motivate and support a person (mentee) on their personal or professional journey. A mentor is usually a person who has been there before, and can provide wisdom and knowledge based on his or her experience. They support the growth and development of a mentee to inspire success and the attainment of goals. They see your potential and push you to reach it.
In business, mentors are invaluable, helping entrepreneurs with everything from the big picture ideas to the little details that can make or break a business.
A mentor is not someone who walks ahead of us to show us how they did it. A mentor walks alongside us to show us what we can do.
– Simon Sinek
The Importance of Mentoring in Entrepreneurship
Business owners usually don’t have the time to personally attend to every facet of a business. They might not necessarily have a strong network of friends or colleagues to bounce ideas off. So, they often turn to mentors to provide them with guidance. Mentors can provide invaluable input on building a business and offer perspectives that will help you take your business to the next level. A mentor can show you the big picture of your business and what it takes to reach your full potential.
A good mentor will help you:
- Assess your challenges and ensure you’re taking the right steps
- Identify your priorities and set short- and long-term goals
- Strategise about how to reach these goals
- Set realistic timelines
- See things from a different perspective
- Gain skills for improvement and set more challenging targets
- Learn how to better communicate with your employees
- Develop a team that supports your business goals
- Make smarter decisions and develop new ideas
- Create valuable connections
What to Look for in a Mentor
Finding the right mentor can be tricky. Not all mentors will have the right personality for you, so you will need to find the right fit. Here are a few key things to consider:
Good mentors help you. They can inspire you to push through to reach your goals. You want to find someone who is helpful and motivational. You want a mentor who can inspire you to continue growing, even after the program is done.
A mentor needs to be objective. It’s important to have a mentor who is objective and who has a neutral standing so that they can offer you insight and feedback from another perspective. You want someone who is not biased or partial, and you want them to be objective so they can help you.
A good mentor is objective-oriented, helping you push towards your goals and achieve success.
Your mentor needs to be available. They need to have the time to dedicate to you, and you should be able to reach out to them whenever you need advice. They also need to be an active listener and provide you with their complete, undivided attention.
A good mentor takes into account and crafts strategy around your unique needs, desires, skills and talents so that you are able to become a better version of yourself.
Your mentor should always follow through with you and hold you accountable so that you progress in the right direction and do not deviate from your plans and goals.
Most importantly, the mentor you select needs to have experience and expertise to provide you with priceless knowledge and effectively guide you in your industry or line of work.
Show me a successful individual and I’ll show you someone who had real positive influences in his or her life. I don’t care what you do for a living—if you do it well I’m sure there was someone cheering you on or showing the way. A mentor.
– Denzel Washington
Business mentors are an important resource for any entrepreneur. They provide advice and guidance to help them grow their business. The right mentor will share insights that you may never otherwise think of and can teach you new things about your business and industry. And at the end of the day, you can benefit from their wisdom and help each other grow. If you are finding it difficult to take your business to the next level and need help getting unstuck, contact us today.
