The Importance of Mentorship in Business

Business leaders, especially entrepreneurs, are passionate about their businesses. In most cases, they build a successful company based on passion and drive. But when it comes time to scale, they often struggle.  Every business will face the question of how to scale.  For most companies, it means doing something different, and that’s where mentors come in. 

What is a mentor?
 
A mentor is a trusted guide or teacher. Someone who has “been there, done that.” They can help you navigate challenges and opportunities based on their past experiences.

Good mentors don’t just give advice. They also hold you accountable to those tips and tricks they've taught you. Mentors will challenge you to do things they know will benefit the business, even if it’s not fun or doesn’t make sense in the short term. They keep you focused on the big picture.
 
Why is mentorship important?
When starting or growing a business, there are many decisions to make. Involving a mentor reduces your risk and increases the odds of making the right choices.
 
They offer a different vantage point and different level of experience than you have.  Diversity of thought from someone who is there to challenge you is different than those you may already have on your team.  
 
A good mentor will be willing to share information with you without the need to pull the wool over your eyes. It should be an honest and open relationship.   
  
Here are some additional benefits of mentorship:

•  Mentoring accelerates your journey: When you have to make significant business decisions, time is always a factor. A mentor can guide you through the pros and cons of different paths to move forward confidently. Disruptive technology, changing regulations, and other forces are only increasing the speed at which businesses need to grow and scale. Having a mentor can help you speed along the path of success.
• It prevents you from making mistakes: We’re human and make mistakes, but you don’t want those errors to derail your business. A good mentor will have been in situations similar to the one you’re currently facing and will be able to guide you away from dangerous paths and toward success.
• Your mentor can become a trusted advisor and a resource for you as your business grows. When facing big decisions and day-to-day challenges, you can rely on their knowledge and experience.

The benefits of mentorship cannot be overstated. When you have a trusted advisor who has walked in your shoes before, theres less risk that youll make rookie mistakes that could derail your business. At CEO Netweavers we provide our members a few ways to mentor.