ABSTRACT
In many dimensions of today's society, the affirmative role of a mentor in someone's life is gaining increasing appreciation. Most mentors are identified because they have special skills, experience, or unique perspectives from which others want to learn. What makes mentorship different from advisors and consultants, however, is the development and evolution of a personal relationship over time with the individuals they are mentoring. This affirmative willingness to generously share time helping someone else grow in knowledge and experience through a long-term personal relationship is the essence of mentorship. Mentoring relationships benefit both individuals. Mentors learn from those they advise, and mentoring other emerging leaders is the essence of leadership. In the long run, it will undoubtedly be one of the most gratifying things done. For the mentee, the benefits are equally broad. Mentors provide a diverse perspective and the benefit of experience that may be very different from that of the advisee.
