Shareefah Abdullah
is president of Vancouver, Wash.-based Hot Ovations Communications Coaching & Training Co. She founded Black Entrepreneurs of Clark County, a free monthly business round table and networking group for all.
Hugged your mentor today? Okay, a handshake? Yeesh! Step away from the laptop and give the blog a breather. Time to pay homage to the magic of mentorship, often the pivotal genie standing between the track of success and the graveyard of good intentions and great ideas.
With a November 2005 survey conducted among its growing roster of participants, nascent organization Black Entrepreneurs of Clark County gained an inner-chamber look at the enduring power and importance of business mentorship.
Most survey respondents credited mentorship as a way to help themselves achieve greater focus, break through daunting apprehension and test ideas before introducing them to the ready masses. Rather than solitary leaps toward rewards that pack weighty risks, folks want insight and support on the road to business expansion, innovation and new markets.
Others want that, too. More than 7 million Americans have tapped the largest business mentorship organization in the country for guidance, frank feedback and a hold on their sanity.
The ubiquitous Service Corps of Retired Executives, outfitted with more than 11,000 volunteer counselors throughout the United States, can boast a fan base rivaling some rock stars’ diehard legions. Having helped countless determined souls transform concepts and ambition into plans and success for more than 40 years, SCORE deserves such a loyal following.
So what stops many other entrepreneurs and business owners from seizing mentorship opportunities? Fear.
From fear of developing a good idea or ditching a bad one to fear of challenging their limitations or navigating a new direction, myriad would-be champions avoid what could prove their platinum key to entrepreneurial achievement. Rather than ask questions, seek help or admit ignorance, some let pride clog the portal to growth and change.
Not self-made winners such as Oprah Winfrey. The billionaire media titan understands the power of mentorship. Winfrey counts a history of mentors – from a fourth-grade teacher to renowned poet and author Maya Angelou – who have helped enrich her path with wisdom, motivation and no-nonsense strength. And, in turn, Ms. “O” has mentored millions of others by sharing advice, modeling perseverance and raising the bar on philanthropy.
Business mentorship unfolds in diverse packages: The incubator offering space and guidance to nanotechnology startups. The bakery lending internship opportunities to independent pastry chefs. The veteran film producer teaching the new kid on the block everything she knows. The real-estate wizard letting another agent shadow him for a month.
The cost? Often nothing more than commitment and a little time. The benefits? Advice, access, affirmation and a good kick in the pants.
Nothing beats the relief of unloading fears, concerns, questions and ideas in the presence of a wise confidant willing to listen and, if asked, impart candid counsel.
Bottom line: Mentorship rocks! Now, about that blog …
For information on BECC’s mentorship program serving entrepreneurs, veteran executives and emerging leaders, contact Abdullah at 360-604-8583, shareefah@hotovations.com or www.hotovations.com.
