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Mentoring is an important aspect of organizational socialization and career development. Since this somewhat limited and informal communication system has such powerful outcomes, it is important to learn more about what organizations and employees can do to enhance their mentoring opportunities. Mentoring is a type of supportive and informal organizational communication that is very powerful in career advancement. Employees and managers in all types of organizations need to understand this communication system and its connection to success so that they can professionally develop their employees and achieve greater success in the work environment.
The word "mentor" comes from The Odyssey, written by the Greek poet Homer. Mentor is a trusted family friend who becomes Telemachus's tutor while his father Ulysses is preparing to go fight in the Trojan War. Mentor coaches Telemachus on how to "king" (Leonard, 353). Mentor is wise and sensitive, two important elements of mentoring. Chip Bell, author of Managers as Mentors says, "Effective mentors are like friends in that their goal is to create a safe context for growth" (7). Friends become mentors to each other even though they do not realize this invisible relationship. Friends rely on each other to teach and grow together. Good friends eventually develop a similar train-of-thought in relation to the actions taken when relating to a subject of shared interest.
Today mentoring is a common practice among businesses to nurture the talents of younger subordinates who are commonly referred to as a protégé. The word mentoring itself has a variety of roles and meanings.& ...