Explain mentoring with reference to the dimensions of initiating structure and consideration

What will be an ideal response?

Initiating structure is the extent to which a leader is likely to define and structure his or her role and those of employees in the search for goal attainment. It includes behavior that attempts to organize work, work relationships, and goals. Consideration is the extent to which a person's job relationships are characterized by mutual trust, respect for employees' ideas, and regard for their feelings. A leader high in consideration helps employees with personal problems, is friendly and approachable, treats all employees as equals, and expresses appreciation and support. Mentoring is a process by which a senior employee sponsors and supports a less-experienced employee or a protégé. Mentoring performs many career functions, like helping the new employee get challenging assignments, opportunities to develop skills, exposure to influential individuals in the company, and nominations for potential advantages. These career functions of mentoring are similar to the initiating structure of leadership. Mentoring also fulfills certain psychosocial functions, like counseling the employee to enhance confidence, providing friendship and acceptance, and providing the new employee with a role model. These are similar to the consideration dimension of leadership.