Choose your mentor wisely!

Why not choose the right mentor?

If there is one thing common between successful entrepreneurs and startups, it is the role of a mentor. For an early stage startup, the role of a mentor could be even more prominent. From making use of connections to allowing for newer avenues, to challenging the founding team to fulfill their potential, a mentor could be the driving force and the difference between a successful enterprise and a failed one.

While the role of a mentor is understandably essential, finding the right mentor for the business may not always be easy. In today’s world, with evolving businesses and innovative business ideas, startups need to look for mentors who have a synergic line of thought and not just traditional linear thinking. After all, what could be worse than having no mentor on board or to opt for a wrong mentor that could lead to communication breakdown and frustration?

Know your needs before looking for a mentor

Before you make your moves to look for the right mentor for your organization, evaluate what role you are looking for. Ask yourself if you are looking to increase your networking quotient or looking for someone who could assist you for industrial guidance in your sector. Finding the right mentor starts by understanding what you expect from a mentor. Looking for a rightful mentor should not be limited to mentor platforms and business networking events. Your mentor could be anyone- from someone you may have worked with in the past or someone you knew in your school or college days. Once you know what you want, choosing a mentor becomes that much easier.

Weigh the mentor's strengths

No one is perfect and that includes your possible mentor. Before you say yes to a mentor and bring him on board, understand the strengths and weaknesses of the mentor to be. If your business involves a lot of innovation, looking for someone who thinks ‘out of the box’ could aid to your businesses strength.

Spend time beyond business to maximize relationship bond

Once you shortlist a possible mentor, set up a meeting and try to spend quality time to develop a comfortable working relationship. Talks and discussions between a business owner and a possible mentor should not remain limited to work and associated business tasks. Fix up the first meeting and request for a face- to- face communication in case your mentor is from a different city.

Be clear in communication

Being clear and concise in all your talks and communication will help you not only choose a rightful mentor but assure a long association. Be clear when you ask your mentor for help and suggestions and ensure you listen, analyze and react accordingly. In an ideal scenario a mentor should be able to help you to draw out your own strategies with a little insights and idea tweaks. If someone is forcing strong ideas, it might lead to an ego clash in the future that could do more harm to the business than good. A clear and concise communication upfront ensures both business owner and mentor are comfortable in their space working together as a team.

A mentor could be a great boost to a startup provided you choose the rightful mentor with synergic ideas and thoughts.

What kind of traits would you look at while looking for a mentor for your organization? Please share your views.