Key Point Summary

Mentoring is an intentional, developmental relationship in which a more experienced and more knowledgeable person nurtures the professional and personal life of a less experienced, less knowledgeable person. Mentoring relationships are developmental—in many cases, for mentor and mentee alike. Mentoring can be either a formal or informal process. Both mentors and mentees realize many benefits from mentoring, as do organizations that encourage, structure, and support mentoring.

A mentor acts on behalf of a mentee, with an eye to the wellbeing of the organization or profession. In doing so, a successfulmentor performs most or all of seven functions. First, the mentor develops and manages the mentoring relationship, keeping these key points in mind: his or her readiness to be a mentor, selecting a mentee, getting acquainted with the mentee, self-disclosure, building trust, handling the power differential, setting goals together, monitoring the mentoring process and mentee follow-through, clarifying expectations, and the potential pitfalls of the mentoring experience.

The mentor also surveys the environment for threats and opportunities, keeping his or her mentee’s welfare in mind. The mentor sponsors the mentee’s developmental activities, advocating on behalf of the mentee and recommending him or her for appropriate opportunities. Mentors also guide and counsel, teach, model effective leadership behavior, and motivate and inspire. These functions are appropriate in different amounts in different relationships.

Leaders who mentor effectively transfer their knowledge and expertise back into their organizations. They nurture the alignment between employee aspirations and organizational imperatives, and they create depth and loyalty within the organization. They help employees and organizations realize their hopes for each other. Mentors help to develop the leadership capacity of their mentees while increasing their own skills. If they take mentoring seriously and handle it effectively, their impact can be profound.