A strong pairing between mentees and mentors is the foundation of a constructive mentoring relationship. The mentor's professional experiences must be aligned with the needs of the mentee and with the critical gaps that, if filled, could allow her to progress in her career. Every apprentice needs someone who, regardless of their degree, has a conscious competence to overcome the barriers that are holding them back in their career. Support is the fourth pillar of mentoring.
By supporting your mentee, you encourage them to keep going when they feel depressed, stressed, or unsure of themselves, which is exactly what they need to feel during a difficult time. It's very important because when your mentee feels unsupported, they'll have a hard time moving forward. They'll want to give up and throw in the towel. The four pillars of mentoring are commonly known as trust, respect, expectation, and communication.
When developing a mentoring program for your company, the four pillars serve as a solid foundation for both the employee and the managers responsible for developing their skills.
