Why You Need a Business Mentor and How to Find One | Part 2 of 2

How should one go about finding a mentor?

• Seek out a mentor who is currently experiencing the same challenges or goals as you

• Spend time with them on an ongoing basis

• Be honest about your weaknesses and ask for advice

• Share your thoughts and ask for theirs

• A mentor should have your best interests at heart, and not try to bring in someone else as a "sign of weakness"

• A mentor should want you to reach your goals more than he or she wants to achieve them themselves

• Willingness and ability to share knowledge with your peers and potential competitors

Personality traits of a successful mentor

"If you find a mentor who agrees with everything you do, you probably need to find some else who tells you where your mistakes are"

• Willingness

• Being open to new ideas and ways of doing things

• Wanting to help people grow and succeed

• Active participation

• Caring about the progress of others

• Passionate about work and success

Of course, these are great point to check when looking for a mentor. However, each individual might have their own reasons and preferences. The most important is that you trust your mentor 100% and know for sure they have your best interests at heart. Your mentor is not one who has all the answers - they are the ones who will show you the path that you need to walk on.

The Benefits of Finding a Business Mentor

Connecting with a business mentor can be a crucial step to your success. For example, in our leadership speaks interview series, you will see leaders speaking more about their passion for business, taken career paths they might have otherwise never considered, and more. Beyond learning more about their interests and talents, they have felt more confident in starting businesses and learning from their mistakes.

Dos and Don'ts of Finding a Business Mentor

Dos: Select a mentor wisely. Be willing to ask for guidance but have specific questions in mind. Write out a list of questions to ask and be specific. Have a follow up plan ready so you can follow up with your mentor and ensure your business is moving in the right direction.

Do not: Be needy. Never spam your mentor, Be rude to your mentor's friends and family. Mention your mentor too often on social media. Be mean to your mentor

Cricket Legend Sachin Tendulkar has been known to be a Mentor to team mate Virendra Sehwag. This particular Mentor-Mentee relationship has taught us a crucial lesson about mentoring - The best mentors encourage us to become better versions of ourselves. They do not expect us to become like them.

A Mentor is more than a guide or a paid consultant

A mentor can also be a person you meet for coffee or that shows up at networking events. The key is to know that your mentor is likely someone who has a specific skill set you're trying to learn. You may want a business mentor for a particular professional area, but a mentor can also be someone who has a specific skill set you're trying to learn. They can be a business expert, executive coach, or even someone who has launched a successful business. Finding your one good mentor can help you develop a network of mentors for different aspects of your business and life

Conclusion

A great mentor can bring out the best in you. By learning from the mistakes of others and embracing their best qualities, you're more likely to avoid the pitfalls of your own mentor or that of your company.

Finding the right mentor is the first step in finding your own way to success. By identifying your goals, aspirations, and your blind spots, you can identify the people and organizations that will provide you with support and guidance along your path. The most important factor is to start out slowly and focus on building relationships with the right mentors so that you can build meaningful and sustainable relationships

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