Mentoring is a one-to-one helping relationship in which one individual supports the professional development of another. It is very similar to a coaching relationship and can involve elements of coaching but the main emphasis is on the mentor using his/her professional expertise and experience in a given area to support the development of the less experienced client, or mentee.
The term dates back to Greek legend, in which Odysseus, before leaving for Troy, asked his friend Mentor to act as guardian and advisor to his son in his absence. This notion of the older, wiser person guiding the younger, inexperienced one has informed the idea of mentoring, although peer mentoring between individuals of similar status and experience is increasingly common.
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