Every now and then you’ll have an employee come up to you and say “we need to talk.” I don’t like hearing that, I don’t think anyone really does regardless of the setting really. Typically it means something bad is going to happen and who really looks forward to that?

Prepare for the talk

Its best to come into these with as open of a mind as possible. Make sure you’re ready to listen and not say anything. Don’t go over things that they’re going to say because more than likely its not going to be what you thought. Just avoid thinking about it until you sit down and talk. Thats when it should be your main focus.

During the talk

Just listen. Don’t say anything until your employee has said everything they need to say. Then take a deep breath, maybe two or three even. Think about what you want to say in the best way possible. Don’t take their complaint personal (and trust me this is hard especially when its the company you started). Try and make a plan with the employee that will fix their complaint. Then pick a date in the future that is far enough ahead that it gives you time to fix the problem. Let them know that on that date you’ll have the same discussion again and will see if things get better.

Being the right kind of manager

If you truly care about your employees you won’t just go ignoring what they tell you. Granted, depending on the complaint it can be about numerous things and each slightly need to be handled a little different. In this instance I was referring to a complain about their job responsibilities. I really care about employees (most are actually friends that we’ve hired) and want them to be happy and believe in my company’s success. Part of that is ensuring that they enjoy working for me and do a great job. Listening to them when they have issues and fixing most of their problems does that - keeps them happy. An I’m a firm believer in that a happy worker is a hard worker.

More reading about employee complaints

Video: What not to do when an employee complains
How to handle employee complaints against other employees
The dangers of tuning out employee complaints
Four things you should never say to your employee

The simple answer is yes and no. Depending on the situation of your business, having a mentor might not be necessary. But it also might make things run a lot easier.

No a Mentor is not what you need right now.

When starting out, you won’t really have time to seek out advice. Right now you’re trying to ensure that everything is getting done so that you will still have a business tomorrow. Right now the most important stuff is selling your service or product, making sure the books are accurate, providing excellent customer service, and numerous other daily tasks. You barely have enough time to think about where you’re heading.

Yes, a mentor would be the best thing for you right now.

If you could find the time to sit down with a mentor, or even for a quick phone call, it could help you in so many ways you wouldn’t believe. Granted, you need to be open to suggestions and willing to listen to what your mentor tells you, but the advice that they give will be so priceless you’d wish you had them from the start.

Finding the perfect mentor

A great way to find a mentor is by looking at your current network. Its possible that one of your own customers/clients might be a perfect candidate to help you grow your business. You can also look at local businesses or your local Chamber of Commerce. SCORE also provides assistance in locating mentors.

The mentor relationship

The mentor isn’t there to here you gripe and moan, but your complaints could lead to very helpful discussions. Typically the mentor is a seasoned veteran in running a business and because of this you have the opportunity to learn from their mistakes. They can help you make important business decisions and also keep you on track for growing your business.

Additional Reading

Working with a business mentor
What to expect from a mentor
Six things to bring to your mentor
How a mentor can benefit women in business
The truth about mentoring
Mentees on mentors