Mentoring

Mentoring programs are growing in popularity in organizations. A mentor is a counselor, adviser, and teacher who usually works in a one-on-one relationship with a protégé. Mentoring programs can shorten learning tracks, speed up managerial advancement, and build the next generation of leaders.

Mentoring tends to involve a stronger focus on the skill development of the learner than does coaching. Unlike a coach, the mentor may provide explicit advice or direction rather than wait for the mentee to find the answer through self-discovery. Some organizations have formal mentoring programs, where the mentor and mentee develop their own relationship.