Why You Need a Mentor (And 3 Great Mentor-Resources)

What do Steve Jobs, Richard Branson, Mike Bloomberg, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates and Larry Page all have in common?

(aside from the fact that they all started world-changing companies and amassed billions of dollars of personal wealth…)

They all credit their success to the help of a mentor. 

Steve Jobs had Mike Markkula (an angel investor in Apple).

Richard Branson had Sir Freddie Laker (a British airline entrepreneur).

Bill Gates had Warren Buffet (no introduction needed).

The list goes on and on. 

But what most people fail to realize is that having a mentor isn’t only for ambitious entrepreneurs.

In fact, finding a mentor is a key component of growth for any part of your life. 

That’s why if you are interested in development, you should be seeking the guidance of a mentorship for your personal and professional growth. 

Let’s break down the importance of mentorship in business and in life, as well as cover some great mentorship-resources you can start using now. 

What a mentor is (and what it ISN’T)

When you say the word ‘mentor’ – different images pop into different people’s heads. 

Some people picture a mentor as someone who is there for you day in and day out – helping you through all of the bad times and sharing wins with you in all of the good times. 

This is not a mentor. 

This is more of a coach, counselor, or therapist (or if you are lucky, a very supportive mom). 

In contrast, a mentor is someone in a position of knowledge, who then shares their knowledge with you because they want to help you grow. A mentor will challenge you and encourage you to think through issues by asking tough questions.

Ultimately a mentor serves as a source of wisdom. 

For this reason, mentors can help you in all areas of your life – from personal development, to business success, and everything in between. It just depends on the mentor, and it depends on what areas in your life you are looking to develop.

Why mentorship is important (in business and in life)

Mentorship is all about one thing – growth. And a great mentor will understand that the best way to accelerate your growth is by answering your big questions with small answers. They will help you to see your final destination, but never provide you the roadmap for how to get there. 

This is what a good mentor understands – that they can guide you with wisdom, but ultimately you must choose (and grow from) your own path. 

This sort of guiding light can expedite your personal development, and is the biggest reason why ambitious entrepreneurs are always in search of a mentor of their own. 

But unfortunately, finding a mentor can be a bit of a challenge…

How to find a mentor

Finding a mentor is not easy, but it’s still very possible. 

First, you will want to look for a mentor that can help in the area that you wish to grow. Looking to be a better parent vs looking to be a better entrepreneur are two different things, and therefore would probably require two different types of mentors.

Once you have identified the area of life you want to grow, you need to be assertive. Mentors provide immense value and therefore they don’t fall out of trees. 

If there is someone in your life that you look up to and you want to seek their mentorship – you need to ask them. Only by being assertive can you gain a life-changing mentor to help your life.

3 Great mentorship resources

If you are looking for growth and personal development in the form of a mentor, here are a few resources that can help put you in the right direction.

#1 – The Tim Ferriss Podcast

A podcasting legend, and a successful entrepreneur/investor, Tim Ferriss has built a media-empire on the basis of personal and professional growth. And he loves the topic of ‘mentorship’.

In fact, Ferriss commonly addresses the importance of mentorship on his podcast, offering his listeners advice for finding a mentor, and guidance for how to nurture your relationship with your mentor over years.

If you are looking for some sound advice on finding a mentor, this is one of the best podcasts out there. 

#2 – Lisnic

If you are looking for rapid development in your business-life and have had a hard time finding a mentor, then Lisnic is for you. This revolutionary platform connects mentees with business mentors and expert online coaches from all around the world.

It’s one of the first platforms of its kind, and is designed to help you achieve your goals in record time. If you are looking to fast-track your career or scale your business with the help of a mentor, this is one of the most exciting platforms available. 

#3 – The Coaching Habit

One of the most iconic books on coaching, author Michael Bungay Stanier creates a blueprint for anyone who is looking to become a better mentor. 

While this resource is more for mentors than it is for mentees, there are still a ton of lessons about leadership, and the importance of listening. 

Ready to grow?

Finding a mentor is all about taking action. Be sure to check out the resources we recommended so you can find a mentor and accelerate your personal development.