How to Spot an All-Star Business Mentor

We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again: everyone needs a mentor in their career, if not several. Just like you rely on close friends to guide you through life’s twists and turns, you want the same level of support at work.

Mentors are seasoned professionals who have “been there, done that.” They’ve likely already had success in starting their own business, possess the specific expertise you lack, and are direct but supportive. From insightful advice to moral support, having one or more experienced guides by your side can give you an enormous advantage. But how do you separate the people who would make great mentors from those who just want to pitch in their two cents?

Ask yourself these five questions to know if you’ve found the right mentor.

Do they align with your goals?

Finding the right mentor for you will largely depend on what you expect to get out of the relationship. Are you looking for someone to walk you through the startup process step-by-step, or do you need a shoulder to lean on when times get tough? Do you have questions or concerns that are specific to your industry, or do you need general marketing, sales, or financial advice?

Do you share common values?

Just like any personal or professional relationship, you and your mentor should have common values and a shared vision for your business. You should both be clear on what your company stands for and the direction you should take it in so your mentor can give you advice that’s both insightful and accurate.

Is there a clear line of communication?

Communication is vital in all professional situations – including mentor-mentee relationships. Some people are great at what they do but not effective at teaching others. Keep an eye out for people who explain things in roundabout ways, provide minimal details, or whose email responses are far and few between. You should also clarify how often you would like to meet early on in the relationship so your mentor knows the level of support you expect.

Do they challenge you?

If not, this person isn’t the right mentor for you. You won’t learn anything new if your mentor doesn’t get you to consider new perspectives. A great mentor is someone who can bounce ideas around with you or get you to see a situation from an angle you hadn’t considered before.

What’s their track record?

There’s nothing wrong with learning alongside other new entrepreneurs (in fact, we encourage it), but a mentor should be someone who has a few success stories under their belt. Can you name the businesses they ran? Do you know why they are an effective leader and are worth learning from? If not, don’t hesitate to ask for more information before you start a relationship.

At the Don Ryan Center for Innovation, we believe that having a great mentor can make all the difference in ensuring the growth and success in your business. When you sign up for our GROWTH, STARTUP, or RESILIENCY program, we will match you with a mentor in your industry who has years (if not decades) or relevant experience to share. They will provide you with all the business expertise, support, and contacts you need to gain an edge in your field.

Sign up for our FREE membership program today to be matched with a mentor, or give us a call at 843-540-0405 to learn how you can become a mentor yourself.