Comments on: I don’t need a mentor

By: Lach

Lach — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:07:43 +0000

Hi Jun,

I related to what you said here because I’ve always been in the same boat. On the one hand, going it alone is very valuable because you blaze your own trail; and, as a result, learn to solve problems that other people can’t. But, as I get a bit older, I also realise there is far more to learn about far too many things to do everything on your own. It would be really valuable to have access to people who have been down those roads before. If not “mentors”, then at least a supportive peer group.

Cheers,
Lach

By: Ricardo Bueno

Ricardo Bueno — Wed, 05 May 2010 14:45:04 +0000

I think that we learn in two ways:

1.) Through our own successes and failures, and
2.) Through the successes and failures of others.

You don’t need a mentor in the strict sense of the term but I think it’s important to learn from others.

By: ragstowreckages

ragstowreckages — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 13:46:54 +0000

Interesting post Jun. I think successful entrepreneurs can definitely benefit from the experience of others but there is also no substitute for learning from your own mistakes and working out how not to make the same ones next time.

By: The Katana: Don’t Be All Things To All People | Financial Samurai

The Katana: Don’t Be All Things To All People | Financial Samurai — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:37:47 +0000

[...] “I Don’t Need A Mentor” by Jun Loayza gives insight on what I do recommend everyone get. Jun just defines mentor [...]

By: Financial Samurai

Financial Samurai — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:00:30 +0000

Hey Jun!

Interesting perspectives. The internet has brought so many of together with different areas of expertise, it’s probably true that you don’t need a mentor as much as in the earlier days.

That said, I hope you do find that one ultimate sensei in business life that you can latch on to and help clear the path that much easier. Maybe it’s that veteran venture captalist whose helped guide many start ups, I’m not sure. But having that one fella to help you knock down barriers is huge.

You know that saying, “If I knew then, what I know now.”? Well, folks usually say that after they’ve made a mistake. Hence, might as well ask those folks, mentors or not how they experienced the situation, and what they’d do so you don’t do it.

Hope all is well!

Best,

Sam

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:21:23 +0000

I think finding the right expertise for the field is more valuable than finding a one-size-fits-all personal guru.

By: fromasia

fromasia — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:12:48 +0000

HI, Jun

I really like your “living the startup life” video, can’t believe that I watched all of it in 2 days time. When is season 2 coming out? Gonna recommend to my friends.

By: Annelie Naes

Annelie Naes — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:21:22 +0000

Interesting topic and ideas, personally I never had a long term mentor, mostly because I have never lived in the same place for more than 10 months after I left high school. But I alaways tried to find some one to guide me. In Washington it was my boss who turned out to be a very good guider not only in my work position there, but also about things around; what do study, what to do next etc. Here in Brussels, my “mentor” has been more of a coach, giving me tools and courage to take chances and develop my brand more, and she also handed me a few connections. I think that the mentoring relationship they have given me, will slowly fade after leaving, and go on to be a more equal relationship. Still, I would never hestitate to ask for their more adivce. So even though, they are not continuisly guiding me, I still consider their help and support to be the same of a mentor. But in the end it is up to me, thus, “trial and error.”

By: Wilson Usman

Wilson Usman — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:59:06 +0000

You know Jun, you really made me think on this one. I don’t think we need a mentor anymore. I use to think I needed a mentor but now I don’t. As you said it, when you need something you go to your friends and vice-versa.

I use to think a mentor could help me fail less, because maybe he would stop me from making a mistake that he made. But the more I read and learn from others successes it sound like the ones that are the biggest failures are the most rewarded. If these people would have had mentors they might have prevented them from their biggest successes.

So lastly I just have to say I don’t need a mentor either, I’ve never really had one so probably will never have I am 24 and being a bit of an introvert don’t see myself having one soon. But I do want to friends that know more than me and that I can trade my skills with them if they need them.

By: John R. Sedivy

John R. Sedivy — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 01:43:40 +0000

Jun - You have written an insightful article and there are some great comments here. At one point in my life I had thought in terms of mentors - only to be disappointed. There is no such thing as a perfect person or a person who knows everything, so a mentor in the traditional sense will ultimately disappoint.

What I do believe in is surrounding myself with subject matter experts. For example, there is one member of my team who has a very strong background in finance and venture capital. Although I serve as the President of my company he will attend meetings and client engagements requiring those particular skill sets. In these situations I ultimately defer to him for decisions in those subject matters - assuming of course they are in alignment with the overall vision and strategy of the business.

I believe that these subject matter experts can be older or younger - for example I am a thirty-something Gen X, however there are many younger twenty-something Gen Y types out there who are much smarter in technology areas than myself. In general when seeking advise I tend to look more at the competence and pedigree of the individual rather than age.

Great article!