To get the definition or the meaning of the term mentor, we will need to make a small historical literary trip precisely to an ancient Greek epic. In Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus (Ulysses) went off on a 10 years adventure, and kept his friend Mentor in charge of everything while he was away. Mentor, a wise and practical man, kept everything running smoothly at home. He played his role so well, and gave such wise and true advice, that his name became a part of the English language, as a representation of what he stood for.
We use the word mentor to mean a lot of things, coach, counsel, guide, lead, pilot, shepherd, show, tutor, and so on.
In business and entrepreneurship, the word mentor has a special meaning, it is not just a guide or teacher, it is something more. Mentor for young entrepreneurs is like a role model, from whom they can acquire knowledge, know how but also attitude and character.
According to Cambridge dictionary, a mentor is a person with experience in a job who supports and advises someone with less experience to help them develop in their work:
According to meriam-webster online dictionary, we use the word mentor for anyone who is a positive, guiding influence in another (usually younger) person’s life.
Mentor is borrowed from Latin Mentōr, borrowed from Greek Méntōr.
Related:
How to Find Business Mentors
