Achieving Success Through Mentor Relationships

It has been said by an unknown source that “a mentor is a person whose hindsight can become your foresight.” In my humble opinion, this statement could not be more true! The role of an effective mentor is carried out through lessons she has learned at the “school of hard knocks!”

As a veteran in business since 1993, I can honestly say that I have learned things the hard way . . . everything! For the past several years, it has been my goal to work with other women starting out in business as a coach and mentor in an effort to help them refrain from making some of the same mistakes I did.

The act of mentoring was developed to create a relationship between a more experienced businessperson and one who is just starting to spread her wings and take flight as an entrepreneur. The relationship must be built on honesty, trust, cooperation, and a willingness to learn. The mentor and apprentice must be able to make a 100% commitment to spending a designated amount of time in the relationship on a regular basis.

The mentor/apprentice relationship should be one of compatibility, creating a mesh in each party’s interests and skills. The mentor actually takes on the role of a teacher, while the individual she is mentoring becomes her apprentice or student. A highly effective mentor will be able to creatively educate her apprentice in all aspects of business development and operations, as well as how to professionally confront the challenges and issues that the business will encounter on a daily basis.

In taking on the challenge as a mentor, one must realize that her role is not to dictate to the apprentice but to serve as a coach and cheerleader in all aspects of the relationship. A mentor must possess a great deal of patience in working with the apprentice and the ability to provide encouragement and motivation each step of the way.

As a guide, the mentor leads the apprentice in developing effective skills and work ethics that will mold her into a strong, independent, and successful businesswoman. An experienced mentor will be able to detect the most pertinent needs of her apprentice and know the proper avenues to travel in the training process.

An experienced and effective mentor also realizes and acknowledges that he is a role model to her apprentice and should always lead by example. The old adage, “don’t do as I do, but do as I say do” will not work in a mentor/apprentice relationship. The mentor must portray the highest level of professionalism while working with her apprentice. The apprentice develops a great deal of respect for her mentor and is watching every move the mentor makes.

The mentor should always serve as a gatekeeper to her apprentice in the way of introducing her to effective and profitable networking opportunities. By teaching proper networking skills, the mentor can open doors of opportunity for her apprentice to network with other resources within the community, thus ensuring her apprentice is welcomed and accepted by her peers.

While many programs provide mentor/apprentice partnerships for a specific period of time, there is nothing barring the mentor/apprentice relationship from remaining open indefinitely should both parties be willing to undertake the commitment and challenge. The knowledge, experience, and wisdom of the mentor will no doubt make a great impact on the success of the apprentice. The mentor may not always be able to provide a quick solution to every challenge or situation faced by her apprentice.

However, her ability to provide guidance in making sound and confident decisions, facing the consequences of the outcome of each decision, and persistence in striving to achieve her goals will determine the level of success the apprentice is able to accomplish!

Achieving Success Through Mentor Relationships

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