David Matthews, managing director of REVTECH, a seed venture fund and startup accelerator, says he is wired to help people—it’s what makes him tick. His passion for helping others led him to found REVTECH, which has a large network of mentors. He shares these tips for both mentors and mentees.
Related: The Art of Mentorship With Kevin O’Leary
For mentees:
- Even if you’re unsure, dive in. “I think anybody and everybody who is coachable needs and will benefit from a mentor,” Matthews says.
- Find someone who truly has relevant experience for the challenge you’re working on.
- Look for groups of mentors so you can get help from multiple people.
Related: 10 Ways to Find Your Ideal Mentor
For mentors:
Before anything, ask yourself whether you really have the resources and knowledge to help an entrepreneur who approaches you.
- Don’t expect anything in return for your mentorship. Most of the time, you’ll get a return in more and different ways than you expected.
- Make sure the person is actually coachable. “There is a subset of people who are just not coachable,” Matthews says. “These are the people who already think they have all of the answers.”
Related: 5 Things Your Future Mentor Will Love You For
This article originally appeared in the January 2017 issue of SUCCESS magazine.
