A Reflection on the Art and Practice of Mentorship

Abstract

The author goes back to ancient Greek literature-Homer's Odyssey-to begin his discussion of the roles that a mentor should have and those he or she should not. Homer's Mentor is given three roles. First, that of Regent, a person of deep trust who can safely hold the space for another while the other goes on a journey or quest; second, the Elder Teacher who can instill knowledge in another, particularly knowledge from an elder, a person of wisdom, to another person about the other person's journey of discovery of self; third, the role of the elder person of wisdom assisting a whole country in its journey to achieve peace. The author starts by looking at the four forms of human relationships that would not qualify as mentorship, i.e., teaching, coaching, being a best friend, and eldering, and then turns to the true nature of mentorship. He then turns to the six functions that a mentor and a mentee must fulfill in order for their relationship to be mutually successful, and concludes with two simple admonitions.