What are the best ways to build a strong reputation as a founder's mentor?

It's always difficult to tell a founder what to do. Not all of them like a direct punch-in-the-nose approach. Over-time I found out the best mentoring sessions are where the founder share their challenges and the mentor give 3 examples / best practices of how other startups solved this.

Imparting wisdom and insights, a mentor transforms startups by navigating them through challenges, sidestepping pitfalls, and capitalizing on opportunities. Leveraging extensive experience, you guide founders on product innovation, market alignment, growth tactics, funding, and team building. Beyond advice, your connections serve as catalysts, linking them to pivotal resources and networks, propelling their journey towards success. In mentoring, you don't just share knowledge; you unlock potential, fostering enduring legacies in the entrepreneurial landscape.

Live thier dreams with them. Grab them if they fall. Understand the role of culture in success, and empwer it. Give more than thought, give action.

My experience is that founders are looking to hear my thoughts a d insights and appreciate them. A what shall we do together is always more appreciated than a do this and that

Offer valuable advice and perspective drawn from your own experiences building a successful business. Provide strategic guidance to help founders avoid common pitfalls.

Answer the founder's call in the middle of the night (even if you are on vacation) when everything goes wrong. It always does at some point. Make sure the founder's realize they are not alone, and that you are here with them to help them get through this crisis.

Empathy and support are keystones in mentoring founders. Acknowledging the stress, uncertainty, and risk they face, and demonstrating understanding and care for their well-being, fosters a profound reputation. Celebrate their victories, empathize with their challenges, and inspire resilience. Your role transcends advice; it's about being their emotional anchor, offering encouragement and motivation through their entrepreneurial journey.

A good mentor have to be the mentee’s ears and soul. You need to listen and identify those pain points that the mentee is missing in the core of the strategy and vision . At the same time you need to highlight their small wins during the pre-seed phase, which is always the most challenging time of their scaling up process.

A good mentor have to be the mentee’s ears and soul. You need to listen and identify those pain points that the mentee is missing in the core of the strategy and vision . At the same time you need to highlight their small wins during the pre-seed phase, which is always the most challenging time of their scaling up process.

Understand the founder's challenges and motivations. Provide encouragement through difficulties and celebrate successes. Build trust through compassion.

Empowering founders by valuing their vision and autonomy is key to becoming a respected mentor. Instead of dictating, provide guidance that nurtures creativity and passion, acknowledging their expertise in their domain. Foster a partnership where their goals shape the journey, ensuring your support aligns with their aspirations, free from personal biases. This approach not only respects their ownership but also cultivates a relationship based on mutual trust and aligned ambitions.

Simon Sinek once said, "Leadership is not about being in charge. It's about taking care of those in your charge." That's how I see my role as a mentor. It’s not about running the show, but about supporting founders to run theirs with confidence. I’m there to offer insights and share my journey, yet always mindful to respect their unique vision and drive. They’re the masters of their domain, with me as a trusted ally, not a shadow director. My aim is to build a relationship where trust and respect flow both ways, ensuring they feel empowered to take the lead. This approach helps founders feel secure in their decisions, knowing they have a mentor who genuinely backs their autonomy and vision.

The founders know where they want to go. Your objective is to make them visualise and put words together to that vision. We all bring biases so a good mentor needs to be aware of their deepest biases not to impose their agenda to the founders.

The founders know where they want to go. Your objective is to make them visualise and put words together to that vision. We all bring biases so a good mentor needs to be aware of their deepest biases not to impose their agenda to the founders.

Allow founders to make their own decisions. Guide them, but don't impose your way. Respect their vision for the company while providing constructive feedback.

Credibility: It starts with building a credible repository of founding experience. You first want to be the entrepreneur that your mentees want to emulate. Lead by example. So much advice out there is recycled or canned, because it is often given by people who haven’t consistently implemented core principles to achieve the results that others want to emulate. Expectations: I love to support others. Being in a fortunate positions where I can teach and offer internships/fellowships without any expectations of getting anything tangible in return is the best way to mentor. No strings attached. Do it because you want to give back to the next generation, and have nothing to sell, promote, or extract. It’s all about supporting others.

To cultivate a powerful mentorship presence as a founder, anchor your guidance in unvarnished truth. Honesty and clarity forge trust—shun the allure of sugarcoating. Lay bare the realities, risks, and repercussions inherent in their entrepreneurial journey. Be transparent about your motives, expectations, and the extent of your commitment. Avoid the pitfalls of overpromising and hidden agendas that erode trust. Integrity in mentorship not only enlightens but also empowers, creating a bedrock for lasting, impactful relationships.

Your reputation comes before you! it’s a sentence I learned at an executive training at UCLA. I would also add your expertise and experience talk about you. It is important to communicate always in a clear, honest and respectful way.

Cultivating a strong reputation as a founder's mentor also hinges on being honest and transparent. Eschew sugarcoating or concealing truths, however unpleasant. Lay bare the facts, risks, and trade-offs inherent in their choices and actions. Clarity about your intentions, motivations, and commitments is essential. Avoid making untenable promises or harboring hidden agendas that could erode trust. This forthright approach not only instills confidence but also fortifies the mentor-mentee relationship with a foundation of trust and integrity. Spread Shark Love #divineintervention #gabenfreude

You can't preach if you haven't practiced. As a coach and mentor, I most likely have made more mistakes than the founders I am coaching have made in their own lives. For some mistakes I even paid a painful price, but it brings authenticity to every discussion we have, and it establishes trust. I only trust mentors that show me their scars, and would give this advice to everyone seeking a good mentor. As a mentor I take candor at heart, and people often shrug at my potty-mouthed approach at things. But I like things to be told simple, honest, direct and without any hidden agendas. Life is too short to watch your language, specially when it comes to dealing with stories of risk, such as enterpreneurship and risky ventures.

Cultivating a respected mentor identity requires embodying accessibility and responsiveness. As an advisor, it's crucial to transcend busyness and distance, ensuring startups feel heard and supported. Promptness in addressing their needs, offering guidance, and consistently fulfilling commitments are pillars of reliability. By being present and proactive, you eliminate any doubts of your engagement, reinforcing your role as a cornerstone in their journey.

As a mentor to founders, making yourself available and responsive to the startups you guide is vital. However, it's important to anticipate the same level of dedication and commitment from the founders. After all, it's a reciprocal relationship. Begin the relationship by setting 'rules of engagement'- communicate your availability upfront and specify your preferred contact method. If unable to advise or answer a specific question, don't leave them unsure; instead, open your network and connect them with an expert.

Make yourself available to answer questions and have discussions. Respond in a timely manner to requests for advice or connections. Don't leave founders hanging.

To solidify your standing as a distinguished founder's mentor, prioritize being accessible and responsive. Maintain an open line of communication, never allowing busyness to become a barrier. Respond promptly to inquiries and requests, signifying their importance in your agenda. Ensure you're available and reachable when guidance, feedback, or assistance is sought. Faithfully follow up and follow through on commitments, leaving no room for uncertainty regarding your involvement or status. Such responsiveness not only builds trust but also reinforces your dedication to their success. Spread Shark Love #divineintervention #gabenfreude

Taking a cue from Steve Jobs at Apple, I’ve learned the importance of being truly available for the founders I guide. It’s more than advice—it’s about being actively present. I’m always just a call or message away, ready to dive into any issue or simply lend an ear. Ignoring requests or putting off meetings? That’s not how I operate. I’m committed to following up and sticking to my promises because leaving founders in the dark just doesn’t cut it. Being genuinely there for them has not only strengthened our connection but also deepened my commitment to their success. It’s all about letting them know they have my full support, no matter what.

As a mentor, your founders are your peers. They know stuff you don't know too, and vice versa. You are not an oracle, merely an individual that might bring a fresh set of eyes to look at the things you are discussing.

Strange question, LinkedIn. True mentorship is not transactional. And it’s definitely not done for clout. Or for making comments on these silly LinkedIn collaborative articles. I’m a mentor of founders, a founder with mentors, and a mentor of mentors. (My definition of mentor here is not the same as a coach, consultant, or advisor.) True mentorship is organically developed and mutually beneficial. Everyone needs both mentors and mentees to grow. So building a reputation as a founder’s mentor? Gross. Seems like the antithesis of humility or curiosity. Truly, WHO actually says this about themselves with a straight face? Or aspires to build a reputation on it? 🤷🏽♀️ If this is you, maybe it’s time to find new mentors!

Admit what you don't know. Ask thoughtful questions to deeply understand their business before offering advice. Remain open-minded and avoid arrogance.

Being humble means recognising the situation. Humility and uncompromising behaviour with yourself helps you seek in the solution internally. Humility with others gives you acceptance towards diversity of thinking. This helps you structure your presence and you win!

Advocating for ethical leadership and responsible business practices is essential for building trust and credibility as a mentor and fostering a culture of integrity and transparency within the startup community. By emphasizing the importance of ethical decision-making, social responsibility, and sustainable growth, mentors help founders build businesses that create value not only for shareholders but also for society at large. In my mentorship sessions, I emphasize the importance of upholding ethical standards and integrity in all business dealings, from customer interactions to supplier relationships.