Sometimes being in business can be a very lonely place. What entrepreneurs lack is someone to talk to, to bounce ideas off and find out what other businesses and leaders are doing in the world away from the business they are involved in 24 / 7.
But mentoring is not confined to directors and proprietors of businesses. I have worked closely with and supported people within finance teams and those in operational and even business development roles.
From an early stage in my career, I looked at my peers and superiors and took time to remember what I liked, what I thought worked well, and what didn’t. This is a process that has never stopped for me, and I hope it continues for some time yet.
Additionally, doing the job I do, working with a wide range of businesses and their leaders, all with their styles and challenges, provides a great deal of “information “which I share (on a no-name basis) where appropriate.
Fundamentally though I enjoy working with people, helping them by sharing knowledge and providing support and seeing them benefit. It is one of the most rewarding parts of my working life.
Work of this type needs to be flexible. Directors, owner-managers and everyone that is employed full time often struggle to find the time and, as importantly, the space to focus, during the typical working day. Mentoring is best delivered away from the workplace and out of regular working hours and therefore requires flexibility to be available to meet and provide the support required when it is needed.
