Protege selection by mentors: Contributing individual and organizational factors

Protege selection was examined in a laboratory experiment and a field study of experienced mentors. The results from both studies indicated that protege willingness to learn was a critical component of protege selection. Results of the field study also revealed that organizational rewards for developing others related to the influence protege ability and willingness to learn had on protege selection. Finally, the field study indicated that mentor motives for mentoring others differentially related to the importance protege ability and willingness to learn had on protege selection. Specifically, mentors motivated by self-enhancement were more likely to indicate that protege ability was important in their selection of protege, whereas mentors motivated by intrinsic satisfaction were more likely to indicate that protege willingness to learn was important in their selection of protege. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.