Implementing successful mentoring programs: career definition vs mentoring approach

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the challenges posed by designing and implementing mentoring programs when program coordinators, managers and participants may hold different assumptions about what mentoring is and what career development is. It aims to create an awareness of the inherent conflicts between the old and the new definitions of careers when implementing mentoring programs. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is a presentation of the different definitions of careers as well as the different approaches to mentoring and a discussion of the implications of these in corporate mentoring programs. Findings – This paper presents viewpoints on where to focus the attention in designing and implementing mentoring programs to achieve maximum results for the organization as well as for the participants. Originality/value – Human resource professionals, managers and potential mentors and mentees might find value in reading this paper to become aware of obstacles for learning and growth.