The Elements of Mentoring

Abstract

What Excellent Mentors Do: Matters Of Skill Choose Proteges Selectively Know Your Proteges Expect Excellence (and Nothing Else) Affirm, Affirm, Affirm, and Then Affirm Some More Provide Sponsorship Be a Teacher and a Coach Encourage and Support Offer Counsel in Difficult Times Protect When Necessary Stimulate Growth with Challenging Assignments Promote Exposure and Visibility Within the Organization Nurture Creativity Provide Correction (Even When Painful) Self-disclose When Appropriate Accept Increasing Friendship and Mutuality Model Intentionally Traits Of Excellent Mentors: Matters Of Style And Personality Exude Warmth Listen Actively Practice Unconditional Regard Embrace Humor Tolerate Protege Imperfection Attend to Interpersonal Cues Be Trustworthy Resist Jealousy Arranging The Mentor-Protege Relationship: Matters Of Beginning Carefully Consider the 'Match' Communicate Expectations Clearly Define Relationship Boundaries Describe Potential Risks and Benefits Address Issues of Gender Address Issues of Race Plan for Change at the Outset Schedule Periodic Reviews or Evaluation Knowing Thyself As A Mentor: Matters Of Integrity Acknowledge the Benefits and Risks of Being a Mentor Honor Your Own Needs Ensure Competence Make Proteges Accountable Respect the Power of Attraction Accept the Burden of Power Practice Humility Avoid Exploitation When Things Go Wrong: Matters Of Restoration Above All, Do No Harm Slow Down the Process Be Clear, Direct, and Truthful Seek Consultation Document Carefully Dispute Your Irrational Thinking Welcoming Change And Saying Goodbye: Matters Of Closure Welcome Growth and Change Accept Endings Find Helpful Ways to Say Goodbye Mentor as a Way of Life References Appendix

Cite this work

No public copy is stored for this record, so only the metadata is cited.

Stored only when both papers are in the corpus — 146 citations exist upstream.