People often think of entrepreneurs as being people who are very separated from those in the traditional business world. Instead of being subject to any hierarchies, entrepreneurs forge their paths and march to the beat of their drummers.
While it’s true that many entrepreneurs are often more content to work solo than they are to work with a group of people, there’s no such thing as a person who can do everything on his or her own. We all encounter situations that fall outside of our realm of expertise, and we all have things that we still need to learn. This is why a professional mentor can be so useful to an entrepreneur. Here are six reasons why every small business owner needs a mentor.
1. You Need Someone To Bounce Ideas Off Of
Just because an idea sounds great when it first pops into your head doesn’t mean that it’s going to be a home run. We all occasionally have ideas that initially seem inspired, but then turn out to be a tad silly when we reflect on them later on. This is why brainstorming is so essential. A mentor is a perfect person to bounce your ideas off of, as they have the experience to know what will and won’t work.
2. Even Hugely Successful CEOs Seek Out Mentors
Some of the world’s top CEOs swear by mentors as the secret of their success. If a mentor is important for them, then it should be a priority for you as well.
3. A Mentor Can Boost Your Confidence
Having a mentor isn’t all about finding someone who’ll pick apart your ideas and give you “tough love.” While having a mentor can be great for figuring out the areas where you need to improve, a business mentor can also be great for reassuring you, inspiring you and helping you to boost your confidence.
4. Learn How To Network
Half of the business world all comes down to who you know. Having a mentor who’s older and more experienced gives you valuable insight into how to network and how to expand your circle of professional connections. Plus, your mentor might be able to get you into the right meetings and events.
5. Remind You Of The Nitty Gritty Stuff
We don’t all remember every single lesson we learned in business school. Furthermore, you may not have even attended business school, which means you might have a lot of gaps in your knowledge related to financial matters. A mentor with a lot of experience can help you with those little nitty-gritty details, such as matters related to accounting, which are easy to forget how to navigate.
6. Be Inspired By Someone Who Shares Your Passion
Entrepreneurs are a unique bunch. Sometimes, people who are content with the corporate grind and working for someone else can’t understand how they think and operate. Having a mentor who’s been there before and understands how people like the two of you think will help to keep you inspired and motivated to grow your business.
It’s important to have a mentor as an entrepreneur. If there’s an old professional connection or business school professor who you haven’t spoken to in a while, reach out and invite them to coffee. They might end up being the mentor who helps you to become your very best.