Chapter 5
TWO CAN DO IT: LEARNING BY MENTORING OR BEING MENTORED
WHAT IS IT?
The word mentor originated in Greek mythology. In Homer’s Odyssey, King Odysseus arranges for his trusted friend and advisor to act as guardian for and to nurture and protect his son, Telemachus, while Odysseus is away to fight the Trojan War. The guardian’s name is Mentor. Mentor guides and advises Telemachus on his journey to find out what happened to his father.
Today, we understand the word mentor to mean “a trusted counselor or guide” (Merriam-Webster, 2011). There are at least two people in a mentoring relationship, and both can gain valuable new knowledge, insight, and skills as a result of participating in this endeavor.
Mentors are all around you—even some ...
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