Mentorship is a two-way street, says Coach
By: Solomon Nartey Tetteh
Public speaker and life coach Paa Kwesi Folson has underscored the importance of building purposeful, value-based relationships in mentorship, describing such connections as key to both personal and professional growth.
Speaking on Business Breakfast on Zed FM, Mr. Folson noted that while Ghana’s mentorship culture is gradually taking root, with more professionals embracing structured guidance, many young people still confuse mentorship with coaching or role modeling.
He emphasized that true mentorship involves more than admiration from afar or occasional advice. Instead, it requires a meaningful, accountable relationship grounded in mutual respect.
Mr. Folson explained that mentors play an active role in helping individuals rise above their current levels by challenging them and reinforcing a higher standard of growth.
Unlike coaches, who focus on specific skill sets and goal-oriented outcomes, mentors offer a more comprehensive form of support that addresses the full spectrum of a person’s development.
“Mentorship encompasses your entire life experience, but coaching is streamlined,” he said, distinguishing the broader nature of mentorship from the task-specific focus of coaching.
Mr. Folson acknowledged that while it is possible to succeed without a mentor, the journey becomes far more challenging. He compared it to navigating unfamiliar terrain without a guide—doable, but slower and less efficient.
He encouraged aspiring mentees to actively position themselves to be mentored by being visible, committed, and adding value wherever possible.
In his experience, the most transformative mentorships often begin when individuals are recognized and chosen—not because they asked, but because they consistently showed up and demonstrated their worth.
Reflecting on his own journey, he admitted that impatience sometimes hindered his ability to build the right connections, noting that personal timelines do not always align with the organic process of growth.
“Mentorship holds you to a certain standard. No one climbs the success ladder alone,” Mr. Folson said. He also emphasized the need for mentorship to be mutually beneficial, noting that for a mentoring relationship to be effective, both parties must bring value to the table and invest in each other’s growth.
