How to Find an Ideal Mentor

How to Find an Ideal Mentor

Recently, Suzi Dafnis from the Australian Businesswomen’s Network held an enlightening webinar on “How to Find an Ideal Mentor”. Although the intent, like most webinars, is to use the person’s or organization’s services, Dafnis delivered some very good information. As you know, we talk about invisible mentoring, which is about taking responsibility for your development by using the tools and resources that are available to you. We assist you by providing you with content – book reviews/summaries, interviews, tips, and resources – for you to apply. Even though we provide invisible mentoring, we have also mentioned that traditional mentoring is complementary to it. In “How to Find an Ideal Mentor,” Suzi Dafnis reported that studies have shown that 70 percent of business owners who have a mentor survive in business twice as long as those who don’t. And those with a mentor are 20 percent more likely to experience growth in their business than those who don’t. These are impressive statistics and provide a compelling case for securing a mentor. Here are some highlights from the webinar. Why a Mentor? Mentors can make introductions, open doors for you, act as sounding boards, offer guidance, and you can learn from their wisdom and experiences. Reasons Why you may Need a Mentor

1. You spend more time working in your business than on your business.
2. Your business is growing.
3. You do not have a business plan and/or clear goals and vision for your business.
4. You have a business plan, but it does not incorporate the vision you have for the business.
5. To move forward in your business, you need to expand your networks and connections.
6. You need more sales and customers.
7. You need help hiring, managing, growing and developing your team.
8. You are ready to take your business to the next level.
9. You need help managing your financial systems.
10. You feel overwhelmed and isolated.
11. Your business has plateaued or started to contract.

Tips for Finding your Ideal Mentor

1. Look for a mentor who has done what you are trying to do. You do not have to be operating in the same industry.
2. Find someone whose strengths and weaknesses complements yours.
3. Many mentoring relationships are not paid, but the downside with that model is that your mentor may not have the amount of time that you need her to invest in the relationship. You may have to explore a paid mentoring model, but evaluate what you are getting in return for what you are paying out.
4. Cast your net outside of your niche and industry. Someone in another industry may have solved the problem that you are currently facing.
5. A mentor is a guide, so avoid people who are controlling. It is up to you whether you take the advice of a mentor. As a rule, whenever anyone offers you advice, reflect on it to determine if the advice is right for you, then act accordingly.
6. Let your network of contacts know that you are seeking a mentor because they may know of someone who is an ideal mentor for you.
7. Approach people whom you know and admire.
8. Use a service that provides mentoring matches. If you go this route, evaluate the track record of the organization before you decide.

Successful Mentoring Relationships

1. At the first meeting, decide on when and where to meet, length and frequency of meetings. And develop a formal agreement to specify expectations of both mentee and mentor.
2. Mentoring is about give and take, and the best relationships are based on trust, respect, and honesty.  The mentor and mentee have to be engaged in the relationship for it to work.
3. Have short and long term goals that will guide your mentor as to what you would like to achieve. Make sure that your goals are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, with a timeline attached. You have to be able to know what success looks like as a result of having a mentor, so you know when you have achieved it.
4. Before each meeting with your mentor, think about what you would like to accomplish and prepare questions that you would like answered. Craft your questions so that you will get the responses that will assist you.
5. Be yourself and show your vulnerabilities.

Liked this post? Share it on social media and leave a comment as well as subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more! If you’re new to the blog, visit the Start Here page for my pillar posts. Author Bio: Avil Beckford, an expert interviewer, entrepreneur and published author is passionate about books and professional development, and that's why she founded The Invisible Mentor and the Virtual Literary World Tour to give you your ideal mentors virtually in the palm of your hands by offering book reviews and book summaries, biographies of wise people and interviews of successful people. Connect with me on Facebook and Twitter. Book links are affiliate links.