This is part of a series. You can navigate to other posts in the series from the list called The Art of Mentoring.
The nature of a mentoring relationship is shaped by the activities of mentoring participants. Mentoring activities are determined by which of the nine matrix types are being used, separately, together, randomly or sequentially, in the process of mentoring.
Under Open System Natural and Planned Mentoring matrixes, relationships are protégé-driven as the protégé identifies mentoring resources and initiates activities to obtain the knowledge and skills needed to define and pursue his or her individual dreams and objectives. The Open System Structured Mentoring matrix includes achieving organizational objectives consistent with the protégé’s personal goals.
Under Collaborative System, a group of mentoring participants identify individual and/or organizational objectives, share leadership, and initiate activities to reach these objectives.
Under Closed System Natural and Planned Mentoring matrixes, the mentor initially takes the lead in building the mentor-protégé relationship by incorporating activities to help the mentor identify the protégé’s needs and ultimately to help the protégé identify his or her individual objectives. The Closed System Structured Mentoring matrix includes achieving organizational objectives consistent with the protégé’s personal goals.
Literally scores of activities can be used to build strong mentor-protégé relationships to reach identified objectives.
Matrix of Nine Mentoring Activities |
| | Natural Mentoring | Planned Mentoring | Structured Mentoring |
| Open System Mentoring | Protégé assumes leadership responsibility for individual objectives and initiates activities | Protégé assumes leadership responsibility for individual objectives and initiates planned activities | Protégé & Mentors agree to define responsibility for achieving organizational objectives consistent with individual objectives and initiate organizationally structured activities |
| Collaboration System Mentoring | Mentoring participants alternate roles and share responsibility for individual objectives and initiate activities | Mentoring participants alternate rolls and share responsibility for individual objectives and initiate planned activities | Mentoring participants share responsibility for organizational objectives consistent with individual objectives and initiate organizationally structured activities |
| Closed System Mentoring | Mentor assumes leadership responsibility for Protégé’s individual needs and initiates activities | Mentor assumes leadership responsibility for Protégé’s individual objectives and initiates planned activities | Mentor and Protégé assume leadership responsibility for organizational objectives consistent with individual objectives and initiate organizationally structured activities |