Abstract
Implementing an effective formal mentoring program for new employees within an organization has numerous benefits for both the mentor and mentee as well as organizational benefits. It is important to note key characteristics and qualifications of effective and successful mentors. These mentoring characteristics are prominently identifiable in the leadership characteristics of transformational leaders and within the four factors of transformational leadership: idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individual motivation. (Bass & Steidlmeier, Ethics, Character and Authentic Transformational Leadership Behavior, 1999) It is important to identify and measure the level of transformational leadership skills and characteristics within potential mentors to select those who have the greatest potential for success as a mentor and for the mentee. The method utilized by individuals and/or organizations adopting this program for measurement of transformational leadership levels of potential mentors will be the Multi-factor Leadership Questionnaire. The results may then be analyzed for utilization in their mentor selection process.
Greater emphasis within a mentoring program should also be placed upon the method of mentor to mentee pairing. For greater success of the mentoring relationship, it is imperative that the mentor to mentee pairing be highly compatible and beneficial for all participants. For pairing purposes, the mentor and mentee will complete Basadur's Creative Problem Solving Profile and Don Lowry's True Colors assessment. These assessments will provide information on the individual's critical and creative thinking and problem solving styles, thus allowing the mentoring program manager or coordinator to pair individuals to those with complementary styles, enabling the mentor and mentee to learn from each other by trading skills with the other individual, thus strengthening their own weaknesses.
