Leaders’
Unsolicited Sentiments
on Mentorship
Powers, C. J., & Bailey, K. M. (2024, October). “Leaders’ unsolicited sentiments on mentorship.” In M. B. Trube, W. Martinez, & N. Dominguez (Eds.). (2024). Inclusive developmental networks: Building transformative communities through effective mentoring [Special Issue]. The Chronicle of Mentoring & Coaching, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.62935/4p5cxu
Abstract
This paper reports on findings from a two-phase study that gathered both quantitative and qualitative data from over 200 professionals working in World Language Education in the United States. As these experienced leaders explored their leadership journeys, the unsolicited theme of mentoring repeatedly emerged. Our approach centered on identity awareness, attitudes, beliefs, and experiences of leaders in World Language Education.
The analysis of these unexpected data yielded seven shared sentiments on mentorship among these leaders. Our initial questionnaire, which was distributed digitally through professional networks, received over 200 responses, gathered via both Likert scale and open-response items. We subsequently interviewed 60 leaders via Zoom to gather in-depth data. These leaders represent a variety of educational contexts in the U.S., including hierarchical, reciprocal, one-to-one, group, face-to-face, and virtual relationships, not only in K12 and higher education, but also in teaching institutions outside of academia.
Over a quarter of all of our leaders referenced mentorship in our data at least once and expressed at least one of the seven identified sentiments. Five of these sentiments assert requirements for good mentorship, two sentiments convey the benefits of mentorship, and one sentiment––which was referenced most frequently overall––communicates the scarcity of and the urgent need for leadership mentorship opportunities. These findings demonstrate both the value of and need for more structured mentoring programs that focus on the effectiveness of mentoring and leadership practices.
These unsolicited sentiments inspired Cal to focus on mentorship in the Professionall Pathways Podcast. Check out our Mentoring Moment for some wise words from our guests.