Reciprocal Learning of a Mentor is a Key Factor for an Effective Mentoring Relationship

Abstract

Mentoring programmes are organized developmental systems within organizations, where a more seasoned person called a mentor, guides a less experienced or newly appointed employee, the mentee, in expanding their knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards the accomplishment of organizational goals. As conventional mentoring stresses the one-way transmission of knowledge from mentor to mentee, new thoughts highlight the necessity of mutual learning in enhancing the effectiveness of mentoring. This article examines the function of mentor motivation, specifically the mentor's willingness to learn through engagement with the mentee, as a critical element of effective mentoring relationships. Using a qualitative methodology, the research investigates the process of both way learning and its impact on the developmental path of the mentor. Research identifies reciprocal learning as enhancing not only the quality of participation but also improving reflective practices and skills of the mentor, thus making it an essential ingredient for crafting quality mentoring schemes.