Developing effective mentoring relationships: Strategies from the mentor's viewpoint

Mentoring is being increasingly used by companies as a means of fostering employee learning and development. Limited research exists from the perspective of the mentor on these relationships. This article presents the results of a qualitative study that investigated the characteristics that the ideal mentor should possess and ways that both mentors and proteges can make mentoring relationships most effective. Findings from the study are used to frame suggestions for future research and practice.