That’s right! It is time to step out of your comfort zone and become a mentor.
What is a mentor? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines mentor as “a trusted counselor or guide.” Other definitions include a wise, loyal advisor or coach, a teacher, a motivator. Mentoring in its purest form is helping others learn something new. John Reh, author of Mentors and Mentoring says, “A mentor is an individual, usually older, always more experienced, who helps and guides another individual’s development.”
You are a business owner. To have achieved this success, you have had a mentor or perhaps several mentors in your life. I asked several people who their mentors were.
Bobby Patel of Kona Cleaners, in Orange, California said,” My mentors are my dad and my uncle. My uncle is a successful dentist. He is the one who encouraged my family to come to America. We lived with him for six months when we first came here. The things he taught me are invaluable. I still ask for his advice on many issues today.”
Next, I asked Gordon Shaw, Hangers Cleaners, San Diego and he also said his dad. “My dad gave me my first job. He owned his own fuel/ oil business. It was a mom and pop shop. I would deliver oil in the winter months to residential homes. The summer months were spent pulling out old heaters and replacing them with new. Dad taught me about owning a business, customer service and loyalty of customers.”
Ray Rangwla, Esteem Cleaners, Pasadena had a slightly different outlook on who his mentor was. “Gandhi. I follow his teachings. I particularly live by ‘do something for others without asking for something in return.’ He is the one I look up to.”
From my personal experience, I would say Byron Henderson was a mentor to me. When I went to work for Henderson Insurance Agency many years ago, Byron gave me my first management position. From him, I learned how to deal with employees and how to treat customers. Byron demonstrated how important it was to be honest and truthful. I used his customer services principles in my own business.
Opportunities to mentor are sitting right in front of you. Take a hard look at your employees. Many of them may not have had the advantages you perhaps had in your life. Maybe they come from different cultures or backgrounds. Some employees will not be interested in anything other than just doing their job. Others you will find are eager to learn, and do have a desire to better themselves. When you see that interest, you can start mentoring in a teaching role. Explain the culture of your company and help them learn how to handle situations within your company. These may differ from the way things were handled from previous employers.
As a mentor, you need to get to know the whole person. Ask about family, hobbies, interests and aspirations. Be a good listener. Listen to the tone of voice being used as well as watching facial expressions and body language. This will give you insight to areas in which you can help them.
Don’t do all the talking! You will want to share the wealth of your experiences, but if you do all the talking you won’t know if your advice is being understood. Helping someone does not mean that the person will follow the same path you did. Your job as a mentor is to guide, provide information and guidance.
You also will want to be a motivator. Emphasize the skills you see in them. Encourage them to use those skills to succeed. Be positive and always use examples of their past successes.
Spend time on building your mentoring skills. There are so many books and articles written on this subject. The computer has a wealth of information as well. By doing this, you will improve your own personal development. How satisfying it will be to know you are helping others learn and work to achieve their goals!
