Mentoring relationships influencing

Influencing mentoring relationships external and internal factors... 

The purpose of the present chapter is to examine some of the factors that influence mentoring relationships. Some of these are external to the mentoring... 

Figure 4.1 The interacting variables that influence mentoring relationships.

These can influence how mentees treat their mentors, that is, their beliefs in what they can gain from the mentoring relationships will inadvertently affect how they will relate to their mentor (e.g. the choice of topics and the mentees perception of how long they can see the mentor as being beneficial to them). 

There are addifiortal situations in which ethical concerns can influence the dynamics of a mentoring relationship a fundamental aspect of the mentor-mentee relationship is that each has privileged access to the other. Mentees may be encouraged to disclose information about current or potential problems that could be damaging to their ovm career or reputation if widely revealed. Likewise, mentors might share a personal disaster to help mentees anticipate and avoid a similar pitfall. In either case, both parties have a professional obligation to the relationship to not exploit the other s disclosures. 

Besides mentor and mentee characteristics, there are other factors that influence the extent to which mentees can benefit from a mentoring relationship ... 

Chapter 4 takes account of the factors that influence mentoring relationships (e.g. the different models of associations and the degree of formality imposed on the relationship). Ways to manage these are discussed. 

The collaboration with many scientists over the years has had a major influence on the structure and content of this book. We are especially indebted to J. Rex Goates, who collaborated closely with one of the authors (JBO) for over thirty years, and has a close personal relationship with the other author (JBG). Two giants in the field of thermodynamics, W. F. Giauque and E. F. Westrum, Jr., served as our major professors in graduate school. Their passion for the discipline has been transmitted to us and we have tried in turn to pass it on to our students. One of us (JBG) also acknowledges Patrick A. G. O Hare who introduced her to thermodynamics as a challenging research area and has served as a mentor and friend for more than twenty years. 

Mentees might feel inhibited about breaking off the relationship, even if they feel ready to do so, because they will continue to remain imder the influence of the mentor and do not wish to create a conflict-ridden atmosphere. 

It is obvious that mentee needs will influence the outcome of a relationship. However, in addition to outcomes, mentee needs will also influence its dynamics. For example, can you imagine how different it would be to mentor someone who wants to become better at planning and organizing his or her job tasks than to mentor someone who wants to gain greater confidence in diverse work situations ... 

That sums up pretty well my relationship with Bob. He was a friend and I loved him dearly, but he was also much more he was a mentor, a teacher, and an important influence on my life as a scientist and, I hope, as a person. 

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