Mentoring Matters - Building a Legacy

Mentoring is more than a process of advising, advocating, and guiding. Its roots are in the knowledge and experience of the mentor. A mentor is characterized as supportive, motivating, creative, approachable, available, and a role model who listens with patience while not taking advantage of a real or perceived power differential but maintains confidence.

Three generations of mentor-to-mentee, Dr. Afaf Meleis (center) mentored Dr. Maria W. O'Rourke (right), who mentored Dr. Nancy Loos (left).

Written by OIAPP co-founder Dr. Maria W. O'Rourke and Dr. Nancy Loos, the book chapter, Professional Role-Driven Leadership Impact on Operations, posits that there is more to mentoring than this traditional description and that to be effective mentoring must include the idea of “sponsorship” in which the relationship is free flowing, creates opportunities for the mentee, and can last a lifetime. The underlying theory that supports the mentoring process is Professional Role Identity Formation, which provides the mentee with a framework for exploring deep-seated values that drive their growth and development and allows them to revisit their values and ensure behavioral alignment. This alignment will help move them forward to realize their potential and see their future self.

Read the Chapter