Mentors and Protegees
Find a mentor. Mentors can help you cut years off your growth
curve. They can save you from making mistakes they made or seen
others make. You are then free to learn from new mistakes.
A mentor is someone - perhaps a family member, friend or
business associate - who is more experienced in the business who
is willing to give you some of their time, advice and support.
Mentors never do this for money. They enter into the
relationship because they want to help you. They see some
potential in you and maybe a little of themselves in you. They
want to help and you must be ready.
Besides the advice and coaching, they can help you by opening
doors - allowing you to use their name, or by introducing you to
key contacts. They may include you on one of their projects,
refer overflow business to you, or drop your name in
conversations.
How to find a mentor Just because you need a mentor does not
mean you will find one. You must adopt a marketing approach to
finding a mentor. Get out to business functions, get known in
your community, associations, clubs, and industry. Watch the
news for potential mentors - send them notes -thank you's and
congratulations. Call them to meet for breakfast or coffee.
How to maintain a mentoring relationship Respect their time,
advice and experience. Ask them probing questions and listen -
taking notes is good. Ask about the three smartest things they
ever did - then try to do them. Ask what three things they would
do differently if starting over. Ask what was the biggest
obstacles and how they overcame them. Ask what was their dumbest
mistakes. Learn from their mistakes. Ask what they wish someone
had told them when they started.
Ask a lot, but take what is offered. Russian Proverb
Ask questions, listen, then act on what you learned. Report back
with the results even if they weren't great. At least you
listened and tried. That's what they want to hear. Never blame
them if it doesn't work. On the other hand give them credit for
the successes. You get some credit for doing it - but express
your appreciation and respect. Thank them for their help - and
be sincere. Never waste their time. Give back to them - with
your ideas, thoughts and help.
The relationship can end for any of the following reasons; You
outgrow the mentor. You waste the mentor's time. The chemistry
goes out of the relationship. The mentor puts you down instead
of helping you up. You lose respect for each other.
The worst thing you can do to a mentor is ask for their advice -
then ignore it. Use what you learn from them. Try it - even if
you put your own spin on it.
Be not afraid of growing slowly: be afraid of standing still.
Chinese Proverb