by Ntsoaki Sibiya - Mentorship Expert | Mentorship Mindset Thought Leader | Entrepreneur
As we step into a new year, I’ve been reflecting on my own goals for personal and professional growth—and I know many other entrepreneurs and business owners are doing the same. January, recognized as National Mentoring Month, provides the perfect opportunity to highlight the pivotal role mentorship plays in achieving those goals. From my own experience, mentorship isn’t just guidance; it’s a transformative catalyst for leadership and personal development that has shaped my journey as an entrepreneur and should be a key component of every growth plan.
However, while mentorship is widely recognized as a key strategy for entrepreneurial development and progression, it is concerning that very few entrepreneurs are intentional about investing in an active mentorship journey. In my personal experience, being on both spectrums as a mentee and mentor, has made me a better leader. As a mentee, the value is clear: Over time, you learn relevant skills and behaviours that help you excel in your chosen vocation and learn how to navigate associated relationships. As a mentor, I have found tremendous value in supporting and helping to advance someone else’s growth and development. There is a huge responsibility for leaders—whatever their field—to make mentoring a priority and to help cultivate the next generation of leaders and mentors.
The strategy in discovering a valuable mentorship journey and a mentor who is going to be an asset and not a liability to your entrepreneurial development lies in growth-oriented goal setting for your mentorship journey. When you know and apply a growth-oriented formula, it refines the objective of the mentorship journey and allows your experience within the journey to become a meaningful specific rather than just a wondering generality. It positions you to become a high-potential mentee, providing you with clear direction and focus.
Here is a 5-step-strategy to help you channel a growth-oriented mentorship journey as a mentee:
SET THE OBJECTIVES – Establish clear objectives for your growth plan and what you hope to achieve in your mentorship journey.
DEFINE YOUR GROWTH ENVIRONMENT – what does a growth environment look like for you? Is it joining a community where you are exposed to like-minded people or people who are ahead of you such as a mentorship club? Once you have defined and identified your ideal growth environment, plant yourself in that environment.
IDENTIFY THE BENEFITS – What are the benefits of the type of mentorship you seek and what are the benefits of the growth environment that you have chosen to plant yourself within?
OBSTACLES – Identify the obstacles you may need to overcome in your mentorship journey, awareness of the fact that obstacles may arise in your journey allows you to navigate those winters once they come.
KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS – Outline the specific skills or knowledge areas you would like to develop in your mentorship journey.
Mentorship can be pivotal during major junctures of your life, both personally and professionally. It can steer you clear of disaster and provide prescient views of the future that you can’t see. Your willingness to make time and an investment in the effort of mentorship as an entrepreneur is the value that makes a difference in your odds of success in building your business.
Ntsoaki Sibiya
Peo ya Bahlakoana
Ntsoaki Sibiya is a prominent South African entrepreneur who has established herself as an expert in the realm of mentorship and mindset transformation for mentees. As a successful businesswoman in a male dominated industry, she understands the potential of economic growth through the empowerment and mentorship of women.
Ntsoaki is the owner of a security company and has used her business acumen and personal journey of self-mastery to inspire and mentor women, helping them navigate the challenges of the business world. Her firm belief in the capabilities and potential of women has motivated her to become a strong advocate for their empowerment. Through her mentorship programs, Ntsoaki facilitates the growth and development of mentees by building their confidence and capabilities.
With her vast experience in business leadership, Ntsoaki is a sought-after speaker in conferences and workshops where she shares her knowledge on mentorship and mindset transformation. Her impact is felt not only in the business community but also across other sectors where she continues to inspire and empower women to thrive in their endeavors.
Her passion for mentorship and her unwavering commitment to the economic growth and development of women is truly remarkable, making her an exceptional role model for anyone seeking to make a positive impact in people's lives. www.tsoabelosolutions.co.za
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