If you choose to have a mentor, you’ve made a great decision. So, you would like to find a mentor who can guide you along your journey, now what? Let’s dissect what I believe are the 6 most important traits to look for when choosing a mentor.
Accessibility
When you need guidance from your mentor, you need to be able to reach out to them to connect. If your mentor is too hard to reach or has no time, you should consider someone else. Even though your mentor may be super busy with their careers and businesses, they should get back to you in a reasonable amount of time to give you guidance.
Experience
It’s important to ensure your mentor has lots of experience in the industry that you’re in. You have a mentor to help you make good decisions and it’s pointless to take advice from someone who has no experience in the sector you’re playing in. A really good way of checking out the experience of a potential mentor is by going to their Linked In profile. You will see straight away, based on their experience, if they are a good fit.
Contacts
This is a super important trait your mentor must have. They must have a network that compliments your venture to potentially grow your team. Not only should they have contacts, but they should also be willing to make introductions for you to succeed and grow.
Toughness
You need a mentor to be tough on you and have the courage to call you out if you’re dropping the ball, or if your attitude stinks. Think of your mentor as a big brother or sister who takes you under their wing. If you do lose sight of the path, they need to first recognise it and then get you back on track.
Enthusiasm
One trait you need to look for in a mentor is enthusiasm for what you are trying to build. If your mentor is enthusiastic about the problem you’re solving, it means they are excited about your venture and are more than likely willing to help as much as they can.
Wow Factor
The ultimate mentor to find is one that has the “wow factor.” This simply means that your mentor is a head turner and has lots of influence in the space you’re playing in. This type of mentor can open up many different doors, provide the best advice and can bring in other people to assist you with ease.
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