The mentor provides a vital link as a teacher who helps the employee to interpret the complex organizational realities, as a counselor to support the employee at times of difficulty, as a sponsor to provide information that can help the employee progress and as an intervener to get involved when necessary to provide protection.
The mentor should take appropriate care and responsibility for the employee and not use the role as a form of power equally the employee should take care to value the role of the mentor and to appreciate the benefits that are accrued from this type of support.
The mentor should be good at their job, be supported by the organization, be effective as a teacher and motivation.