Phases of the Mentor Relationship

To understand fully the nature and impact of the developmental mentor relationship, it is necessary to examine how it changes over time. A conceptual model is presented that clarifies the phases of a mentor relationship by systematically delineating the psychological and organizational factors that cause movement between phases. Four predictable, yet not entirely distinct phases are evident: 1. an initiation phase, 2. a cultivation phase, during which the range of functions provided expands to a maximum, 3. a separation phase, during which the nature of the relationship is substantially altered by structural changes in the organizational context and/or by psychological changes within participants, and 4. a redefinition phase. The research is based on the study of 18 developmental relationships as they occurred. Interviews were conducted with pairs of younger and older managers involved in significant mentoring relationships. The interviews also revealed the general turning points that signaled the phase changes. It is likely that individuals will experience several such relationships during their careers.