Passionate entrepreneur | Making every second count | Here to do good & to help where I can | Changing the world, one disruptive step at a time | Let's ensure that whatever we do together, it's fun! |
Entreprenuership. Pride vs. Mentor As a serial entrepreneur who has made huge mistakes, has many scars on his back, served across many Operating and Executive Boards, and who has a passion for helping entrepreneurial communities, I wanted to briefly share the importance of not always having to have the answer. Leadership can be a very lonely place. The buck stops with you. If you are an entrepreneur building a business, start up, scale up, bringing it to maturity, seeking funding, whatever the scenario, this can be magnified a thousand times. I have been hugely guilty historically of taking this all onto my own shoulders. Sleepless nights, worry about making payroll, the stress of transactions, cashflow challenges, fulfilling growth opportunities, managing Boards and investors, all contribute to that isolation and feeling of loneliness that comes with being a leader. This is why ditching your pride, realising that whilst the buck does stop with you, you don't need to have all of the answers, and reaching out to a mentor is key. What about my Board I hear you say? Is this not their role? Is this not the role of the Chair? If you are lucky enough to have a Board, then sometimes yes. But even if you have a Board, having someone who is there just to listen, who can be a sounding board, and who can coach, mentor, and guide you, without any skin in the game, is invaluable. So if any of the above resonates with you, get yourself an independent mentor. There are thousands of seasoned business professionals out there, all whom have made huge mistakes and all whom have learned valuable lessons, who just want to give something back by helping and supporting someone just like you. I am lucky enough to have a vast network of such people whom I trust and who I could connect you too for a chat if you want. No charge from me, nothing in it for me, just an opportunity to give something back. Reach out if you think I can help in connecting you.
Pete Ashby
1w
One of the many things I love about your posts, Andrew, is that there's always an offer, or an amazing insight from you - with no strings. I still sometimes think back to the phrase in your last one about the present being a gift. YOU are a great mentor to many of US. If I were in a real jam, and was told there are just 3 people I could turn to and say "help!" I would think of you. So, I just want to say thank you for YOU. V best & big hug, Pete x
I do this through the Manchester and Chester Growth Hubs- they do a ‘matching service’ and it works well. Totally endorse Andrew Powell as always.. and yes the key thing is - just someone with wisdom to listen is key….
Chris Paton
1w
Fantastic offer of invaluable support to other people buddy - selfless as ever from you.
Thanks for sharing this Andrew Powell, as someone that set up a business 12 months ago a lot of this resonates with me.
Paul Arnold
1w
Wise words as always Mr P
That’s such an honest and true offering Andrew. Thank you ☺️…..
Love this! Hopefully, it will encourage others to “be more Andrew”!👍
Passionate entrepreneur | Making every second count | Here to do good & to help where I can | Changing the world, one disruptive step at a time | Let's ensure that whatever we do together, it's fun! |
1wP.S. Mentors do not have to cost the earth. Sometimes they will work pro bono. Sometimes they will charge for their expenses. Sometimes they will charge for expenses and a small cover charge for their time. You don't need to be paying huge sums of money for that experienced ear, and sounding board.