Introduction

This chapter presents definitions of mentoring to enrich people's mentoring vocabulary and inform their mentoring philosophy. It also presents the origin of the term "mentor" as a foundation to understand the concept of mentoring. The chapter describes some mentor archetypes from non-Western cultures. It also describes a theory of the mentoring ecosystem that highlights the importance of mentors, proteges, and the organizational context. The chapter discusses the categories of expected mentoring outcomes, and the potential benefits and costs of mentoring. Mentors and proteges have personal preferences and prior experiences that will influence how they enter into a mentoring relationship. The organizational context is one of the element that influences mentoring processes. Systems theory provides an understanding of how relationships influence mentoring. Organizational features, such as pace of change and technology, also affect mentoring programs. The chapter highlights how program managers can navigate a changing landscape of mentoring by recognizing the importance of mentoring networks.