Why Mentorship Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
If you’re building a business, you’ve probably heard the advice: “Find a mentor.” And while that’s solid guidance, it’s missing something important. Not all types of mentors are created equal.
Some mentors give you strategies that sound great on paper but fall flat in the real world. Others share secondhand wisdom from someone else’s playbook. A few rare gems offer lessons earned through blood, sweat, and failures.
Understanding the types of mentors out there is the difference between moving in circles and moving forward.
The 3 Types of Mentors You’ll Meet
After years of learning from different types of mentors and serving as one, I came across a framework that made it all click: Theory, Witness, and Application.
Each represents a different level of experience, and each has unique value. But knowing which mentor you’re learning from—and how to apply their advice—can change everything about how you grow.
Let’s break them down.
Theory: The Knowledge-Based Mentor
Theory mentors are often well-educated, well-read, and excellent at articulating ideas. They’ve studied business deeply, attended conferences, and consumed countless books. Many consultants, professors, and content creators fall into this category.
They can teach frameworks, explain systems, and show you how the machine should work. But there’s a catch: they haven’t actually built the machine themselves. If you ask them if they’ve done what they’re teaching, they might say no—but they’ve advised those who have.
That doesn’t make their advice bad. It just means it’s theoretical. And theory can only take you so far before reality introduces complications.
Theory mentors are useful when you’re starting out or need clarity around structure. But if you’re looking for real-world guidance, you’ll need to go deeper.
Witness: The Secondhand Experience Mentor
Witness mentors haven’t necessarily done the thing, but they’ve watched it happen up close. Think assistants to top CEOs, marketers who launched campaigns for big brands, or people who helped build something great from the sidelines.
They may not have made the decisions, but they were in the room when they were made.
Witness mentors shine when they share stories, unpack how decisions were executed, and help you avoid mistakes they saw happen in real time. They bring context, patterns, and insights that even some practitioners miss because they’re not as zoomed out.
This type of mentor is valuable for perspective. They can show you how the best operate—but you have to ask smart questions to extract their gold.
Application: The In-the-Trenches Mentor
Application mentors are the unicorns. They’ve done the work. They’ve started businesses, closed sales, lost money, hired teams, and stayed in the game long enough to have real scars.
These are the mentors who can say, “Here’s what I did, how it worked, what failed, and what I’d do differently now.”
They don’t just know frameworks. They’ve applied them. Adapted them. Broken them. And they’ve lived to tell the tale.
Application mentors are best when you’re in the trenches yourself. They’ll help you solve real problems, avoid common traps, and stay focused on the things that actually move the needle.
They’re harder to find because they’re usually too busy doing the work to talk about it. But if you find one? Don’t let go.
Where to Find These Types of Mentors
You can find theory mentors in books, on YouTube, through online courses, and on social media. They publish. They teach. They speak. And their advice is structured, which makes it great for beginners.
Witness mentors hang out in mastermind groups, networking events, and behind the scenes of successful businesses. They’re often overlooked because they’re not center stage, but they bring real proximity-based wisdom.
Application mentors are found through referrals, coaching programs, and real-world business communities. Look for people who have done what you want to do. Ask questions. Offer value. Show up where they are.
And don’t forget—sometimes you’ll need to pay to get access. Time is their most limited asset, and the best mentors protect it.
How to Vet a Mentor Before Committing
Choosing the right mentor can dramatically accelerate your growth—but picking the wrong one can just as easily lead you down the wrong path. That’s why vetting a mentor before committing is a crucial step. This isn’t just about checking their credentials—it’s about making sure their experience, style, and availability match your needs and goals.
Start by asking yourself: Have they helped someone like me before? This helps you gauge their track record with entrepreneurs at your stage. Are they available and willing to invest time? Mentorship only works when there’s enough time and attention to go around. And do they teach through empowerment or micromanagement? You want someone who encourages your independence, not someone who takes over your vision.
Get clear on what you actually need. If you’re looking to scale, you need someone who’s scaled. If you’re starting fresh, someone who remembers those early days is key to avoiding common beginner pitfalls. Context matters—and so does chemistry.
Also—talk to their mentees. How did they grow? What were the results? Past results aren’t everything, but they give you powerful clues about the kind of outcomes you might expect.
Choosing a mentor should feel like assembling your dream team—not applying for a job. Take your time, ask smart questions, and make sure their guidance will truly move the needle for you.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
Some people say they’re mentors—but really, they’re just performers. And if you’re not careful, they’ll lead you in circles while charging you premium prices. It’s easy to get dazzled by charisma or credentials, but that doesn’t mean they’ll actually help you grow. Mentorship is supposed to move you forward—not confuse you or stall your momentum.
Here’s what to avoid:
Mentors with vague credentials or a lack of tangible results often rely on theory without ever applying what they teach. If they can’t show clear outcomes they’ve helped others achieve—or at least walk you through their own process—it’s a red flag.
Be wary of advice that sounds impressive but hasn’t been tested in real-world scenarios. Elegant theories are great, but if they’ve never been implemented successfully, you could end up being the experiment.
Watch out for relationships that feel purely transactional. A good mentor genuinely cares about your success, not just their own schedule or sales funnel. If every interaction feels like a setup for a pitch, it’s time to walk away.
An overemphasis on mindset without any real strategy can leave you feeling good but going nowhere. Mindset is important—but it needs to be paired with actionable steps and measurable progress.
And finally, beware of constant upsells, bait-and-switch offers, or endless funnels. A real mentor doesn’t need to sell you something every week to prove their value. They guide first. Sell later—if ever.
A good mentor teaches from experience, listens more than they speak, and stays focused on your goals—not their brand.
Combining Mentorship Styles for Maximum Growth
Sometimes the best setup isn’t choosing just one type of mentor—but assembling a team that covers all the bases. One theory mentor can help you understand the bigger picture and frameworks. A witness mentor gives you practical context and operational awareness. And an application mentor delivers gritty, experience-based advice rooted in action.
Think of it like building your own personal board of directors. This “mentor board” doesn’t have to be formal or official. You might lean on a book or podcast for theory, tap into a peer group for witness insights, and schedule check-ins with a seasoned entrepreneur for application wisdom. Assign each a loose role—strategy, systems, execution—and revisit that setup as your business grows. Just like your goals evolve, so should your mentors.
When to Switch to Different Types of Mentors
Not all mentorships are meant to last forever.
You might outgrow a mentor—or simply shift focus. That’s okay. Reassess every quarter. Are they still helping you move forward? Are your conversations evolving?
When the relationship starts feeling repetitive or irrelevant, it’s time to reevaluate. Look for signs like stagnant advice, a lack of new insights, or disengagement. Maybe your goals have evolved, or you’ve entered a new phase that requires different guidance. Switching mentors isn’t a betrayal—it’s a natural part of growth. Like upgrading tools or systems in your business, upgrading your mentor can reignite momentum and bring clarity to your next steps. to level up.
Why Mentor Types Matters
Knowing the difference between these types of mentors helps you set better expectations.
If you’re listening to someone with no experience applying what they teach, take their advice as theory. Don’t treat it like gospel. If you’re learning from a witness, understand their insights are based on proximity—not execution. And when you find an application mentor, listen closely. They’re telling you what actually works.
The best mentors? They’re trifectas. They’ve studied it, witnessed it, and done it. And if you find one, you’re not just getting guidance—you’re getting a shortcut.
FAQ
1. What are the three types of mentors?
Theory (education-based), Witness (experience-adjacent), and Application (experience-driven). Each offers different value depending on your stage of growth.
2. Which type of mentor is the best?
Application mentors tend to offer the most valuable advice because they’ve done the work. But a trifecta mentor who combines all three is ideal.
3. Where do I find a good mentor?
Books, podcasts, events, communities, masterminds, or paid coaching. Start by identifying what you need most—structure, insights, or execution support.
4. Can I be my own mentor?
Yes—by consuming theory, observing others (witness), and taking action (application). But mentorship fast-tracks the process by giving you real-time feedback and accountability.
5. How do I know if a mentor has application experience?
Ask questions like, “Have you done this yourself?” or “Can you share an example from your own business?” Look for real stories, not recycled advice.