Enlightened Mentoring

A Characteristic of Public Management Professionalism

Bibliographic Data

ID6358491
AuthorsDee W Henderson (corresponding author)
Year1985
Volume45
Issue6
Pages857-857
Publication date1985-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenuePublic Administration Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-3352 • E-ISSN: 1540-6210
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.2307/975361
OpenAlexW1982816585
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited3

Mentoring in public service organizations is increasingly accepted as beneficial to management effectiveness. This research indicates that the long-term success of mentoring is contingent on implementation and on how it is perceived by those involved. Most readers of management literature are probably aware that the term is derived from Homer's The Odyssey. Mentor was the friend to whom Odysseus entrusted his son, Telemachus, for wise care and development. The goddess Athena later disguised herself as Mentor to advise the young Telemachus. It is assumed that Telemachus more effectively learned much from Mentor in his formative years that enabled him to weather future challenges. Now, as in other fields, 20th century management appropriately uses the term mentor to mean a coach, a guide, or a teacher in a wide variety of one-on-one relationships for executive nurturing. Recently, government and business managers, as well as researchers, have recognized the increasing and important role which mentors perform in the development of executives. The value of mentors who contribute to the development of potential talents has been well documented in the arts and in the business world, but mentoring has not been rigorously evaluated in public management. Gerald Roche surveyed top business executives and found those who have a mentor derive greater satisfaction from their careers and work.' Gene Dalton et al.2 and others3 have described two major stages in the career development of business managers to include having a mentor and being a mentor. Dan Levinson et al. have described the mentor relationship as being important in the development of an adult.4 Harry Levinson has profiled the top executive as a wellrounded, mature adult, one who has likely been mentored.5 And Donald S. Perkins, chief executive officer of the Jewel Companies, has said, Everyone who succeeds has had a mentor or mentors.6

Business · Political science · Public relations · Mentoring and Academic Development · Public Administration

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