Faris Alami - SmartStart Support Leader

When Shakespeare penned his famous line, “What’s in a name?,” he probably wasn’t thinking about the confusion titles can cause in a modern business setting.

Mentor, Coach, Consultant – which is it? Who does what and how do you choose the most appropriate person for your business?

Participants in the multi-generational workshops I have facilitated over the last seven years hold distinct preferences based on age group, and sometimes on experience. The Baby Boomers and Gen-X resonate with “Coaching,” because they tend to want to get up and get going. Millennials prefer “Mentoring” because they want more information and traditionals (born before 1946) agree with them because they love to share what they know.

In my experience, mentors, coaches or consultants are pretty much the same thing.   The ultimate goal is to help the client excel. How these experts approach that goal arise. So I’ll make it simple:

Consultants: Generally they give “you should” information. And yes, there are things you absolutely “should” do in your business. You “should,” for example, have a solid business plan if you want investors to consider partnering with you. Consultants work under contracts and are paid for their work. Consultants tell you what to do.

Coaches: Generally they provide motivation and accountability. They encourage you to go further and deeper. Coaches also generally work under contract and are paid for their work. Coaches are like cheerleaders.

Mentors: They share their own experiences, acting as sounding boards for concepts and decision-making.. Mentors are generally volunteers who do not expect, and often would not accept, payment for their service. Where a consultant might say, “It’s done this way,” a Mentor might say, “Tell me how you would make this work.”

Some entrepreneurs need all three types of guidance.  Others do better with a single source of advice. It all comes down to what will bring you to the success you envision, and that choice can sometimes be difficult. Here are a few tips in finding an appropriate mentor:

• Make sure the person you work with has been successful in a venture somewhat similar to yours. Having someone you can trust, with appropriate experience, is priceless.
• Refuse to be bullied into “This is the ONLY way” thinking.
• Expect to be taken out of your comfort zone, but listen to your intuitive sense – some things may just not “fit.” If your reasons are sound, your decisions will be, too.
• Always get a second opinion on critical issues.
• Make your decisions, and hold yourself accountable for them.

Tips for those who take on the role of mentor:

• Share your experience.
• Don’t expect them to do it your way.
• Ask questions before giving advice.
• Remember author Stephen Covey’s rule: “Seek first to understand.”
• Be honest in your capability to further the individual. Are you the right person? If not, step down.

For those seeking mentors, or willing to mentor,  I’d be happy to guide you through TechTown’s process.