Identifying a mentor is not difficult if you know where you are going and what your needs are. One of the greatest compliments you can give is to ask a person to be your mentor, because you are telling that person that you value his advice. Retired business and professional people make great mentors because they usually have time and often are looking for an opportunity to help. Look for people who have built successful careers and have some time on their hands. One of the most important jobs of a mentor is to critique your work, so you must be receptive.
Many people get defensive when their work is critiqued, and they see it as an attack.
You must be able to handle the criticism, because when it is given constructively, it will foster growth. As my career has evolved, so have my mentors. As I began my business life, I needed someone to give me encouragement. As my business developed, I found that I needed advice on management, finances, hiring, training and retaining employees. About Gladys Edmunds Entrepreneurial Tightrope appears Wednesdays.