Five Qualities Of A Mentor Which Make Him Quintessential

Five Qualities Of A Mentor Which Make Him Quintessential

Startups usually lift off with a great start and soon realize they lack experience to keep business going. That’s when a mentor comes to rescue, he is the one who can reignite that lost spark in your business, and actually he is that person who can guide you and correct even the minutest mistake. Having a mentor has its perks only if chosen correctly. Here is a list of qualities startups should look for while they get a mentor.

Enthusiasm

Topping the list of qualities to look for in a mentor is Enthusiasm, you have started your company with plethora of enthusiasm and being mentored takes it to a new peak. Having a mentor to match your level of excitement can work wonders. You may have cosied up to a heavy-hitting mentor who has the experience and skills needed to help your business to the next level. But do they actually care enough? In a good mentor relationship they will get as much value out of it as you. It will provide them with the buzz they had when they started up. Mentors should have a willingness to help. There is always a balance between altruism and pragmatism. But there are always people around who want to help and make a difference.

Sector experience

While a generalist mentor is much needed, a specialist has his importance. A mix of the two is ideal. You wouldn’t want to stumble upon a mentor who has no idea of the industry you’re operating in. A mentor needs a good breadth of experience, but enough sector knowledge to help you. They need credentials in your area. One can always look up at LinkedIn to know their experience.

Fee free

If a potential mentor is looking for a regular fee one should steer clear. In the startup phase free advice is needed as much as possible. If necessary one can offer future rewards but needn’t be ripped off. It seems hypocritic if a mentor who is already so successful asking for an hourly rate which shows a mis-match of motivations.

Realism

Entrepreneurs’ optimism is great, can blind them to the possible negatives of what they are doing. A mentor should be able to offer their pragmatic experience to balance this out.

They should have an idea of the future potholes that one may face. They will know what other businesses have fallen down on before. Invariably the startup will charge ahead with the launch of business, convinced that the world has been waiting for that product or service. A good mentor will tug on the reins a little.

Reassurance And A Long Term Relationship

A good mentor will eliminate any worries or concerns that prove to be baseless, so that building business can be concentrated upon. A good mentor will say ‘worry about that in three or four months’ time. Concentrate on getting customers and cash flow until then. Along with providing reassurance a mentor who can provide enough benefits to help out for a longer time and can catch up regularly is helpful in maintaining a long term relationship.

Have more qualities in mind? Do share in comments!

Note: We at Inc42 take our ethics very seriously. More information about it can be found here.

You have reached your limit of free stories
Become An Inc42 Plus Member

Become a Startup Insider in 2024 with Inc42 Plus. Join our exclusive community of 10,000+ founders, investors & operators and stay ahead in India’s startup & business economy.

2 YEAR PLAN
₹19999
₹7999
₹333/Month
Unlock 60% OFF
Cancel Anytime
1 YEAR PLAN
₹9999
₹4999
₹416/Month
Unlock 50% OFF
Cancel Anytime
Already A Member?
Discover Startups & Business Models

Unleash your potential by exploring unlimited articles, trackers, and playbooks. Identify the hottest startup deals, supercharge your innovation projects, and stay updated with expert curation.

Five Qualities Of A Mentor Which Make Him Quintessential-Inc42 Media
How-To’s on Starting & Scaling Up

Empower yourself with comprehensive playbooks, expert analysis, and invaluable insights. Learn to validate ideas, acquire customers, secure funding, and navigate the journey to startup success.

Five Qualities Of A Mentor Which Make Him Quintessential-Inc42 Media
Identify Trends & New Markets

Access 75+ in-depth reports on frontier industries. Gain exclusive market intelligence, understand market landscapes, and decode emerging trends to make informed decisions.

Five Qualities Of A Mentor Which Make Him Quintessential-Inc42 Media
Track & Decode the Investment Landscape

Stay ahead with startup and funding trackers. Analyse investment strategies, profile successful investors, and keep track of upcoming funds, accelerators, and more.

Five Qualities Of A Mentor Which Make Him Quintessential-Inc42 Media
Five Qualities Of A Mentor Which Make Him Quintessential-Inc42 Media
You’re in Good company