I have, and continue to have many mentors in my life, mentors for business and mentors for life’s stuff. 12 years on my mothers group continues to inspire me to be the best parent that I can!
My business mentors change, come and go, and pop back up when needed. They include old bosses, colleagues and people I have contracted to. They are people I admire whose opinion I respect and who I can have a ‘juicy’ robust debate with and we can come out of it unscathed. The relationships are mutual, as I know that through our deliberations and discussions we have both learned something. I am always looking out for them, as they are for me.
Mentors are great for asking the ‘silly questions’ that you are forced to answer honestly. They can give advice or provide solutions in ways you would never have thought of.
You can have mentors to help you with specific areas of your business where you feel you lack the expertise or a mentor can give you an objective point of view on issues you are struggling with. They can help keep you on tack when you need someone to be accountable to.
Before finding a mentor you need to decide why you want them and what your expectations are of the relationship. Some common needs are: help in a specific area of business (such as marketing or finance) or for motivation, accountability and / or decision making.
What to look for in a mentor:
- Compatibility – not necessarily someone you like, but someone you respect
- Ability to strengthen your weaker side
- Role Model – who have you admired in business?
How to find one:
- Government programs (each State based Business portal has links to mentor programs – some provided free for a number of sessions)
- Professional Organisations (such as Australian Businesswomen’s Network)
- Your networks: former bosses or colleagues, distant relatives or friends of friends. Who do you admire and respect? Who has already been a role model for you? Who has already provided advice and support on a smaller scale that might be willing for the relationship to be formalised.
To find a mentor start by writing a WANTED POSTED for your ideal candidate so when the person enters your network – you instantly recognise them!
Do you have a mentor? How have your mentors helped you?
