You finish your mentoring session feeling positive. Tick.
You’ve discussed the numbers, talked through a few challenges and agreed some actions. Tick.
But did you tackle what's really holding your business back?
You left feeling good, but did you leave feeling inspired, focused and ready to make meaningful changes? Or were the difficult questions left unasked and the real issues barely touched?
I was recently asked whether I prefer mentoring business owners online or face to face.
For me, face to face wins.
Years ago, when I worked in corporate, I flew from the UK to Dallas every other week for four months. Each trip was for a four-hour meeting.
We'd tried video calls, but they weren't delivering the results we needed. Being in the same room changed that.
I understand why business owners choose online mentoring (and why many mentors promote it):
Convenience – easier to fit around a busy diary
Cost – no travel expenses or time away from the business
Choice – access to mentors regardless of location
Flexibility – easier to arrange shorter, more frequent sessions
All valid reasons.
But I believe face-to-face mentoring offers something more and works better for me personally:
Body language – spotting discomfort, uncertainty or hesitation highlights the real issues
Tonality – hearing what's behind your words so we can dig deep
Focus – fewer distractions and interruptions means better ROI
Trust – building relationships that encourage honest, vulnerable conversations
Challenge – knowing when to dig deeper rather than move on
Sometimes the most valuable part of a mentoring conversation is what you haven't said.
On a screen, it's easier to miss the subtle changes in body language, tone or attention that suggest there's more to explore. Without those clues, a mentor might accept your answers and issues at face value rather than challenge you to dig deeper.
The conversation can feel productive, but has it uncovered enough to deliver meaningful results? Usually not.
Online mentoring has its place, and a great online mentor will always outperform a poor one sitting opposite you. Sometimes online is the only practical option. I have international clients I've never met in person.
But in my experience, where both options exist, face-to-face conversations help me uncover more, challenge more effectively and ultimately deliver a better return on your investment.
So, when choosing how you work with a mentor, are you prioritising convenience or the results you want to achieve?
If you're considering mentoring and want to understand what working together could look like, let's have a conversation. Face to face, preferably!