I consider myself to be a pretty experienced business mentor and coach. My clients can be found in the greater Jerusalem area, while others are located overseas. Wherever, time and again, when communicating with a potential new client, I can see the question on their face: “Why should I be talking to you”?

And here lies the issue. They are asking the right question, but too early!

They first need to consider what makes a great business mentor.  Then they can decide if I – or anyone else – fits the ticket.

Now there are plenty of blogs on the subject, which could help any of my prospects. However, today I glanced over a new posting “7 important qualities your next mentor needs to have“, and frankly I was disappointed. Yes, it mentioned some good points. When it started demanding that a mentor be a ‘great champion and loyal ally’, I began to ask questions. I was also unhappy with the way that thee subject of ‘vision’ was relegated towards the bottom of the end of the article.

This forced to thinking about what would be my seven guidelines for choosing a good business mentor. So here goes.

1. All round business experience – not necessarily in your commercial sector, but in multiple sectors and crossing over different areas of activity in an organization.
2. The perception to decipher if the mentoree is ready for change, and why.
3. The ability to help the client create a realistic commercial vision – this is really key.
4. The patience and ability to motivate, especially in the more trying moments
5. The creativeness and innovation to think beyond the boundaries, which a client can try to hide behind.
6. The self-will to understand that they cannot want the success of the client more than the client themselves.
7. The resoluteness to remain unbiased, ensuring that the client understands that they are responsible for their own actions.

To paraphrase David Clutterbuck – yes, do look up his book ‘Everyone needs a mentor’ – mentoring is not about teaching. You do not have to be an expert to be a mentor. You do need to possess the ability to “stretch” your client towards their commercial vision.