How do you measure a mentor or coach's effectiveness?

It is important to recognize that having a coach or mentor is a relationship and as such it is a two-way street. And like any interaction between humans there is a degree of psychology that comes in to play. Therefore, defining expectations early in the relationship is critical. However, one must also be open to having things change and evolve as the bonds of the relationship strengthen and change over time. One expectation that ought to be established early is one of mutual exchange and mutual value. There has to be value for both parties involved. Mind you this value may not always be equal, but it must be equitable. To be sustainable the mentor/mentee relationship has to be mutually enriching.

Permission, transparency, willing to deal with the whole person (Body, soul, mind), and a willingness to apply what you are learning from your mentor. I have mentored for over 30-years and have found that at the core of this process is the need of the mentor to really have a heart to help the mentee become the best version of themselves. This only works if there is a significant desire for change and personal growth on the part of the mentee, and that the mentor is ably equipped to operate in variety of scenarios with the mentee. It is my opinion that the most qualified mentors will themselves be a life learner who speaks from supportable truths. Mission, Purpose, Goals, Personalities, & Talents play a significant role as well.

It is important to develop a robust relationship with your mentor or coach. What I mean by this is that you want your mentor to ask you the hard questions and challenge you so that you grow from the experience. Sometimes people may view this as the person not being supportive and that the two of you are just not compatible. The relationship with your mentor or coach is effective if they have made you think about why you do the things you do, where you want to be and how can you be more effective. Sometime we just don't like reflecting on our own performance...

I did not know what I did not know until I was in the environment of my high-level coach. I paid almost $30K to be a student of @Myron Golden, and rather than slap a bandage, I got a whole new operating system - a new install, a new identity. On the outside, I still looked like me, but like a Windows 10 that is updated to Windows 11, requiring an uninstall and install of the new program, my coach took me from working with a FOS (failure operating system) to an SOS (success operating system), and I cannot be more grateful. This goes beyond tactics to a complete shift in perspective, confidence, and an increase in personal capacity. I could not have had this expectation but my coach took me from little leagues to the Pros.

This is not the age of "you don't have it" but "here's how to use it". So a good coach should be able to cut through the noise and "entrepreneurial" crap that floats around as valid info and help a small business build on basics, simplify and automate action. In time, this will help the business be more specific and methodical in its goals. And it will produce the right mindset. Business is simple but it's not easy. So simplify!