Dimensions of an engaged mentoring relationship : a mentor’s guidelines for improved relationship performance -

Abstract

The concept of mentoring, as a means for strengthening employees’ career and personal development received considerable attention in the literature, yet organizations only recently started implementing mentoring programs in Lebanon. Many articles shed light on the benefits of mentoring as a tool to nurture the mentor, the mentee and the organization, yet few focused on the negative effects of an unsuccessful mentoring relationship and the damage that it might cause to the parties involved. The objective of this project is to understand the dimensions of an engaged mentorship relationship in order to examine the mentors’ role in dysfunctional relationships and to develop guidelines that assist them in improving their mentorship practices within an organizational context. Twelve semi-structured interviews were developed and conducted with six mentors and six mentees working within international companies in Lebanon with established mentorship programs. The interviews were transcribed and context-analyzed into emerging themes and statements. According to interviewees, commitment, good communication skills and trust are keys to a successful mentorship relationship. The main KSAOs highlighted were the mentor’s professional experience, communication and leadership skills, openness and flexibility and the level of organization and planning. There was a difference in perception between mentors and mentees regarding mentors’ need for training. Guidelines were developed to assist mentors in improving their performance, and achieving a better mentorship relationship and a better result at the organizational level. Further research is needed to understand whether these findings can be generalized to a wider pool of businesses.