Bharat Sangani: the mentor who rules out roads
Bharat Sangani described a mentor's contribution through a set of possible roads. In his illustration, ruling out the wrong routes narrowed the founder's decision.
The advice could stop an action
He said a mentor could be most useful by identifying what to avoid. His road example made that role concrete: eliminating several routes left a smaller choice for the person building the business.
He connected it with reviewing a business plan
Sangani also asked founders to have an industry expert examine the plan. He distinguished enthusiasm for an idea from getting someone with relevant experience to test it. Both parts of his discussion concerned finding limits in a proposal before committing to it.
In Bharat Sangani's words
"the best mentor is somebody who tells you what not to do" (Bharat Sangani, Family Office Club event talk introduced by Richard C. Wilson)
How to use this
- Ask an experienced reviewer which proposed routes they would rule out and why.
- Keep the rejected options and reasons with the business-plan review.
Questions and answers
How did Sangani illustrate the mentor's role?
By describing a mentor ruling out roads that would not reach the destination.
What related review did he discuss?
Having an industry expert examine the business plan.