Out here in the world of start-up businesses, career beginnings, personal relations…well, just about anything in the world anyone will ever get involved with will have some uncertainties to overcome.  Especially when an endeavor leads to taking a path not traveled before.

This is where Mentors pay off.  But, first, before telling how mentors can be of service for those who do not have a lot of experience in life, let me break down what a mentor can do.

A mentor is someone who listens.  Yes, that is the best thing they do.  However…and this is very important…what makes mentors valuable is how well they listen.  I know..you are going..What?!  Here is why.

Somewhere within all the words said to a mentor to describe an issue, or tell what problem someone is dealing with, there is an answer.  Only a mentor will hear it.  Why?  Because they are trained to listen.  Mentors not only listen they also watch how what is being said to them is delivered. Mentors are good at reading a person. From these two methods of communication a mentor is able to help.

Unlike a business coach who outlines what they feel someone should do to get somewhere in business, a mentor takes what is going on in a person’s business, or life, and walks with them to show them how to get to where they need to be.

Mentors can take many forms.  They can be someone who does nothing but be a sounding board so answers to issues can be found.  A mentor can be someone who shows how something is down or takes on a partnership with the mentee to provide confidence and guidance towards a projects successful completion.

Mentor can be involved for a short time or available for a lifetime.  The real value of a mentor is their ability to get the mentee to think things out for themselves.  Mentors offer insight to things only experience can highlight and overall, have years of experience in life and, in most cases, business.

Many times mentors can be found within a business.  Some businesses will hire mentors to be mentors to their younger workforce.  Sometimes a mentor is the boss or, in some cases, a family member.  All of these type of mentors come to the mentee as a volunteer.

Of course, the old adage of ‘you get what you pay for’ comes into play with mentors as well.  Business mentors are professionals and many prove to be worth their weight in gold.  What makes them worth so much is in how much their experience gets the mentee towards solving their problems.

Mentors are good to have and if you are looking for one or in need of one…I think I know of one.  Let me know how I can help.