What Is Mentoring? | HR Glossary | BambooHR
A developmental relationship where an experienced colleague guides another's growth.
Mentoring pairs a more experienced person with a colleague seeking to develop their skills, confidence and career. Unlike line management, the relationship is voluntary and developmental rather than directive, focused on the mentee's own goals.
Organisations run mentoring to accelerate onboarding, support underrepresented groups, share tacit knowledge before it is lost, and strengthen leadership pipelines. Reverse mentoring, where a junior colleague advises a senior one on topics such as technology or inclusion, is increasingly common.
Effective programmes provide light-touch structure: clear objectives, matching guidance, and periodic check-ins, while leaving space for an authentic relationship. Tracking participation and outcomes helps demonstrate value and improve future cohorts.
