Failure is often sold as a magical potion in the world of business. “Fail forward,” they say. “Every failure is a lesson!” But here’s the truth they don’t tell you: failure isn’t inherently educational. It’s just failure—useless and demoralizing—unless it comes with the right context, analysis, and plan for moving forward.
And that’s where your choice of business mentor coaching matters. Pick the wrong guide, and you’ll be stuck in the glorified failures process, learning little, wasting time, and haemorrhaging cash.
Failure Isn’t a Business Strategy
Failure teaches you what not to do. Fine. But without actionable insights on what to do next, failure is just expensive trial and error. A business mentor programme that can’t outline clear parameters for progress is no better than wandering aimlessly. If your mentor’s mantra is “failure is inevitable,” without offering solutions, it’s a red flag.
Real business mentor coaching turns failure into strategy. It helps you analyze mistakes, extract lessons, and apply them with precision. Anything less? That’s just someone selling you a rite of passage disguised as wisdom.
Spotting the Overpromisers
Here’s how it often goes: You sign up for a business mentor programme that promises the moon and stars. The mentor recounts their long list of failures as if it’s a badge of honor. They sell you the idea that struggling is part of the journey—and then leave you to fend for yourself.
The truth? Many so-called mentors use failure as an excuse for their own underwhelming services. They lean into the narrative that “you’ll learn eventually,” instead of equipping you with tools to avoid unnecessary pitfalls. These aren’t mentors; they’re storytellers selling snake oil.
ATTENTION, SPOILER!
Being an entrepreneur starts with taking responsibility for your choices and journey.
True, no questioning.
Yet, some business mentors tend to wear out the insight “I see you are blaming me for your failure, which means you are not taking responsibilities of your choices”.
Choosing the wrong mentor is your fault. But make no mistake – pun intended – underdelivering the service promised is theirs.
The Wrong Failures, The Wrong Mentor
The glorified failures process can quickly become a cycle of bad decisions if you’re not careful. The wrong mentor will lead you to the wrong kind of failures: avoidable ones that drain resources and confidence. Real business mentor coaching helps you navigate toward productive failures—ones that stretch you, teach you, and ultimately propel you forward.
A solid business mentor programme offers more than vague encouragement. It provides structure, strategy, and specific direction. If your mentor is all talk about embracing the grind without showing you how to make it meaningful, run.
ATTENTION, ANOTHER SPOILER!
And I did. I ran away from a mentor who made me believe in the wrong mistakes.
My bad, I should have trusted myself better.
My bad I should have seen through the surface better.
Although I had some beneficial outputs from my (now former) mentor, one of the most terrible mistakes I made was to let myself be swayed in the direction of the wrong audience choice.
Find out more in our article “Audience Apocalypse- Choose The Right Customer Segment”
What to Look for in a Mentor
A good mentor knows that failure is inevitable but ensures it’s purposeful. They don’t just share war stories; they dissect them. They’ll show you not only what went wrong but how to adapt, recalibrate, and move ahead. Business mentor coaching should be about action, not just inspiration.
A credible business mentor programme has a plan. It’s not about celebrating failure but turning it into a stepping stone. Your mentor should be more obsessed with your progress than their own anecdotes. If they’re not, you’re just paying to sit through their personal highlight reel of disasters.
ATTENTION, YET ANOTHER SPOILER!
You will be surprised of how many business mentors love to talk. Being inspirational is good, but it is utterly useless if all those inspirational talks are not followed by a practical, achievable and tailored business mentor programme.
The golden business mentor wields their mentoring program so that you can channel your thoughts, fears, actions purposedly toward your vision via a tailored business plan strategy.
Find out more in our article “Long Visions, Short Plans – Your Strategy Is Your Compass”
Don’t Buy the Hype
Failure isn’t a rite of passage; it’s a tool. But only if wielded correctly. Choose the wrong mentor, and you’ll get stuck in the glorified failures process, spinning your wheels and wondering why nothing’s changing. Choose wisely. The right business mentor coaching won’t glorify failure—they’ll teach you to overcome it.
And remember, mentoring is strategic not operational.
The golden business mentor will not take actions on your behalf – YOU must do the work – but it is their job to setup the scene for success based on where you are, what you need, your strengths, weaknesses and goals.
Are you ready to break free from the glorified failures process and start building an effective business strategy that works?
If you are an entrepreneur in the STEM field and struggling to build a marketable product, email me at info@engineeringsuccess.co.uk. Tell me your biggest challenge and I will be happy to help you.
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