5.1 - Mentoring as a Process

Mentoring relationships are dynamic. They evolve as mentees gain confidence, skills, and independence. Effective mentors adjust their role over time rather than applying a single approach throughout.

A common framework includes four stages:

1. Initiation

2. Cultivation

3. Transition

4. Closure/Redefinition

This framework is adapted from Kram’s developmental mentoring model and is also reflected in modern mentor training resources such as Entering Mentoring (Kram, 1985; Pfund et al., 2015).

These stages are not strictly linear, but they provide a useful structure for intentional mentoring.