Though mentors do provide a valuable source of objective feedback, the mentor-protégé relationship almost always is best if it’s a non-evaluative one. Within companies, this is done by working with a mentor from a different department. And while it may work best to look within your own business, mentors don’t have to come from within a company, nor do you need to wait for an established corporate mentor program to begin benefiting from a mentor relationship. Consider this list of places to find a mentor.

Professional associations. If it’s important to you to have a mentor within your industry, look to people you meet at professional association meetings.

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE). This organization has helped many an entrepreneur with solid advice from those who’ve been there.

Your community. Consider former bosses or professors, relatives, networking group contacts, friends, church groups, etc. 

Service organizations. Some groups, such as Rotary Club International, offer business mentoring programs. Look around in your city; ask at your local Chamber of Commerce.

Others you admire or respect. Make a list of possible candidates before you begin your search.