Mentoring

Mentoring, from the Greek word meaning enduring, is defined as a sustained relationship between a youth and an adult. This word explains the relationship between two individuals where one individual (mentor), ensures the overall development of another individual (mentee). The mentor is responsible for the personal as well as professional growth of the mentee. Mentor can also be defined as coach, counselor, facilitator, teacher, sponsor, and model for the other individual. The mentoring partnership may be defined as an agreement between two individuals sharing experiences and expertise to help with personal growth and development through continued involvement. The adult offers support, guidance, and assistance as the younger person goes through a difficult period, faces new challenges, or works to correct earlier problems. In particular, where parents are either unavailable or unable to provide responsible guidance for their children, mentors can play a critical role.

The word originates from Greek mythology. Around 1200 b.c.e., when Odysseus left for the siege of Troy, he requested his friend Mentor to take care of his son Telemachus. Over a period of time Mentor looked after the personal and professional growth of Telemachus. In fact, at one time he saved his life. Thus the word originates from there, explaining the relationship between two individuals.

There are two types of mentoring: natural mentoring and planned mentoring. Natural mentoring occurs through friendship, collegiality, teaching, coaching, and counseling. In contrast, planned mentoring occurs through structured programs in which mentors and participants are selected and matched through formal processes. The mentor shares personal wisdom, technical expertise, and life experience with the mentee. He or she has to be a good listener, empathizing and understanding the goals and interest of the mentee. But a clear distinction must be made between friendship and favoritism.

To be a mentor, one must have time, desire, knowledge, and skill to share with the mentee. He or she first assesses the mentee's skills, discusses goals, and facilitates the mentee's becoming a confident person who may make good decisions. Mentors get a chance to pass on their successes, which can give great personal satisfaction. Mentors get an opportunity to [Page 1108]practice their interpersonal and management skills on an ongoing basis, which can help the mentor to succeed even more. Mentors often become recognized as positive role models and are sometimes sought out by others. Many mentors find that being in a mentoring partnership helps them expand their own horizons and keeps them in touch with what's going on at other levels of the organization. Mentors often insist that they gain more from the mentoring partnership than their mentee does.

The role of mentee is also important in the mentoring process. Mente es must be willing to learn. They must be able to accept constructive feedback. Men-tees must be willing to “stretch” to try new things and take risks. Many people have achieved success because someone encouraged them to aim higher. They must be able to identify short-term and long-range career goals and accept that those goals may change.

The ancient education system in India followed the same system and was known as Guru-Shishya Parampara (teacher-student relationship), where the student resided in the teacher's ashram (campus) and guru (teacher) took care of the student and ensured his overall development according to his capabilities.

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