On Business Mentorships, Pt 2

Recently I posted about a friend who was struggling with her former business mentor. She has since found a better fit. If you are in search of a business mentor, here is some advice she has (you don't have to agree):

✨ We are increasingly interacting online with people from all over the world. It's a mentor's responsibility to be aware that clients may come from a different cultural value system. Not all mentors are aware of their own cultural biases and negative judgmental attitudes towards people who differ from themselves. So research the cultural values your mentor has before paying them to guide you.

✨ Use of foul language by your business mentor is a big red flag. It's a sign of inexperience in communicating professionally and respectfully, as well as being sophomoric. Your mentor should be treating you with professionalism and respect, putting their best foot forward, and modeling how to be a professional success.

✨ The small details end up being red flags for the bigger things. For example, misspellings in one's native language (including typos) is indicative of a rushed job, lack of professionalism and care, and poor modeling of professional behavior that they are trying to sell.

✨ Business mentors are there to help someone change their mindset and approach to business success. It often involves helping somebody overturn social and psychological beliefs. Good mentors know how to do this effectively.

✨ Lastly: "Wizard of Oz" syndrome. People will put their best foot forward on social media for all to see. Yet that is not necessarily what is hiding behind the curtain. My friend kicked herself for being taken in by the shiny baubles and pretty ribbons her old mentor was wrapped in. She stopped blaming herself once she realized she had researched as well as she could and it was the former mentor who had misled her into thinking they were more professional and experienced than they actually were.