Business Commons^™

Mentoring And Self-Management Career Strategies For Entrepreneurs, Ellen A. Ensher, Susan E. Murphy, Charles M. Vance

Management Faculty Works

The purpose of this article is to examine the literature on self management and mentoring to develop practical methods of enhancing the career success of entrepreneurs. The authors believe that both behavioural and cognitive self-management strategies can be useful to entrepreneurs. These techniques include goal-setting, self-observation, self-rewards, cueing, self-talk, visualization and the active reframing of obstacles into opportunities. In addition, the varying roles and functions of mentors, including emotional, vocational and role modelling support, will have many positive benefits for both entrepreneurial proteges and mentors. Recommendations for furture research and an entrepreneurial model of career development are provided.