Has AI Alan replaced Bob from down the pub?
There seems to be a growing belief that AI will eventually replace business mentors.
You can understand why. It has a lot of answers... but not always good ones, mind.
Running a business has never been easier when it comes to finding information. AI can answer questions, improve documents, write first drafts, explain financial terminology and save you hours of admin. I use it every day because it helps me work more efficiently and saves me hours of time, and I'd encourage you to do the same.
The problem is that information, especially quality information, is rarely what's keeping you awake at night.
You're worrying about cash flow, whether you've made the right decisions, how to deal with an underperforming employee, building and converting your pipeline, the difficult conversation you've been putting off, or simply the pressure of feeling responsible for everyone else's livelihood.
Those aren't questions you're struggling to answer.
They're burdens you're struggling to carry.
When you sit down with me, you're rarely looking for another answer.
More often, you need:
Somewhere to vent after another difficult week
A counsellor to help you work through the pressure that comes with leading a business
An accountability partner who'll make sure good intentions become actions
Someone independent who'll challenge your thinking rather than simply agree with you
Emotional support when the business starts affecting life outside work
Perspective when every decision feels important and every problem feels urgent
The confidence to make the decisions you've been avoiding
AI Alan is a useful tool, but he won't sit and listen while you rant about your week. He won't be your counsellor when the pressure starts getting on top of you. He won't put an arm around your shoulder when you need support, and he won't give you the kick up the arse you've been needing to make the decision you've been avoiding. That's still the job of another human being.
I can't remember the last time someone left a mentoring session saying, "Thanks, I didn't know that."
Much more often, they say, "I knew that... I just needed to talk it through."
That's the difference.
Business mentoring has never been about having all the answers. It's about helping you think more clearly, challenge your own assumptions and leave the session with the confidence to act.
Use AI to save time and improve efficiency by all means.
Rely on it for business and emotional support at your peril.
I think that Bob has potential of becoming a thing of the past very soon, unless of course his WiFi gets him onto an AI app.
If you're already using AI but still carrying the pressure of running your business on your own, perhaps you've reached the point where another focussed conversation and a proverbial hug, not another prompt, is what you really need.