Mentoring: fastest growing business in the world

Published Thu, Sep 10, 2020 · 09:50 PM

WELL, I would say that, wouldn't I? We're in the mentoring business ourselves. But it's true. It is growing so fast now that it is difficult to keep up the supply of mentors. Added to which, the needs of mentoring are changing for a world disrupted by galloping technology, tsunami digitisation and a need to adjust attitudes and behaviours to deal with new social, medical and moral demands. We require the best of experience to be passed on and the worst of experience to be abandoned. There has not been a time in my life when good mentoring and coaching were needed more.

Know your customer (KYC)

I add coaching to mentoring. They are different things but my 30-plus years in the business suggests that distinguishing between them when dealing with a client is a mistake. Mentors coach and coaches mentor, whatever is required. And that is the point. If ever there was a business that needed to KYC it must be mentoring & coaching. Good doctors treat causes; bad doctors treat symptoms. Good mentors & coaches treat narrowness of thought, lack of confidence, misuse of creativity and fear of risk-taking. And, like good docto…