Summarize principles of successful mentoring programs.
A mentor is an experienced, productive senior employee who helps develop a less-experienced employee. Although most mentoring relationships develop informally, organizations can link mentoring to development goals by establishing a formal mentoring program. A formal program also provides a basis for ensuring that all eligible employee are included. Mentoring programs tend to be most successful when they are voluntary and participants understand the details of the program. The organization should reward managers for employee development, carefully select mentors based on interpersonal and technical skill, train them for the role, and evaluate whether the program has met its objectives.