If you run a business or you’re even thinking about doing so, no matter what that business might sell or produce, then you might have come across the idea of having a mentor. Or perhaps, as a well-established businesswoman, it’s the idea of becoming someone else’s mentor that really appeals. In either case, mentorship can make all the difference to a business and its owner, and it’s an ideal way to really boost your own talents and help others at the same time.
The question, of course, has to be how can you find a mentor, how can you be a mentor, and, perhaps most important of all, why is a mentor going to be useful? Let’s answer those questions so you can take the next step – read on to find out more.
Why Mentorship Matters
Let’s start with exactly why mentorship is so important. The fact is that this is (or at least it should be) so much more than just a business relationship is an important thing to consider – you really do need to get on well with your mentor or mentee if you’re going to get the most out of working together, and that’s why it’s so important to think carefully about who you’re choosing and why.
Whether you’ve been in the industry for decades or you’re just starting out, the fact is that a mentor can give you all kinds of invaluable guidance, which is going to help you get past obstacles and deal with challenges a lot more effectively. And if you’re the mentor, it’s something that allows you to share your knowledge and experience and pass on that information – that means you can give back to the community, but it also means you can refine your leadership skills, which benefits your own business. It’s a win-win.
How to Find a Mentor
If you know you want a mentor to help you in your business, you’ll need to take steps to find one – you probably won’t have one just fall into your lap (although it could happen if you’re in the right place at the right time, you can’t rely on it!). Think about what you want to get out of having a mentor to begin with because everyone is going to have different and perhaps specific skills, and you’ll want to work with the person who has the skills that will benefit you the most. If you need some help with search engine marketing, for example, looking for a marketing expert is the best plan.
Then start looking into your network because it’s highly likely you already know someone who could help you or you know someone who could put you in touch with a potential mentor at the very least. It’s never a bad idea to ask for guidance if you need it, and you could end up finding exactly the person you need.
How to Be a Mentor
If you’d rather be a mentor than have one, you’ll find it’s a hugely rewarding thing to do, but it does require a lot of commitment, so make sure you’re going to be able to do it. One thing that’s really important in a mentor in the ability to listen carefully and give advice, but not forcing anyone to do anything – they need to make their own choices.
It’s also a good idea to share your experiences because that’s a great way to show people how things should be done and what happens when mistakes are made – if they can learn from your mistakes, they’ll make less of their own.
