The manager's guide to developing exceptional mentoring skills. Mentoring is an age-old practice, tracing its roots in ancient Greek mythology to Mentor, to whom Odysseus entrusted his son's development. Today, with the rise of the "knowledge age" and the transformation of the workplace into an environment of continual learning, mentoring has emerged as one of the most important and valuable roles a manager can perform. A manager's mentoring strengthens relationships within the organisation, and ultimately contributes to such critical factors as improved job performance, lower staff turnover, and greater profitability. Mentoring is not an easy skill to attain, however, and many managers who may excel at leading teams or coordinating projects may be disasters as mentors. "The Manager as Mentor" explores emerging trends and approaches to help managers master the skills of effective mentoring - and enhance themselves, their employees, and their organisations in the process. Drawing from extensive research, dozens of examples, and their own practical application in training managers around the world, the authors guide the reader toward understanding the key roles that mentors play and the activities and techniques they can employ for maximum impact. Diagnostic exercises help readers assess their strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for development, and create a step-by-step action plan for achieving goals - either individually or in groups. The book includes an extensive list of resources for more in-depth information in areas such as problem-solving, active listening, and employee advocacy. Ultimately, "The Manager as Mentor" offers the tools by which managers can promote learning, empowerment, and insight to create vibrant organisational cultures. Part of the "The Manager as..." series shows managers how to develop the qualities of effective mentorship, in themselves and their employees. The authors are experts from the academic and professional worlds. It offers practical development tools, worksheets, and resources. It can be used by individuals, in teams, and by trainers or instructors.