Mentoring is a relationship between a senior and a junior where the elder person guides the younger person through difficult times, gives advice and support.

Definition: Mentoring is a relationship between a senior and a junior where the elder person guides the younger person through difficult times, gives advice and support. In an organization, the senior helps the junior through his early career. He gives guidance, suggests training if required, and helps make the right career choices.

Description: In India, not too many organizations have an active mentoring programme. Hindustan Lever, the consumer goods leader, has had a celebrated mentoring programme. Every new management trainee is assigned a mentor. The mentor is supposed to meet the trainee on a regular basis and offer guidance.

Other than corporates, many colleges have mentoring programmes where either a faculty member or a senior is designated a mentor for new entrants. Mentoring programmes even exist at a social level in some countries.

Also See: 360-Degree Feedback, Competency Mapping, Conflict Management, Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP), Job Description, MBO, MBWA, Pink Slip, VRS