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Storytelling in Mentoring: An Exploratory, Qualitative Study of Facilitating Learning in Developmental Interactions

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  • Caroline P. D’Abate
  • Hali Alpert

Abstract

How is it that mentors teach—that protégé’s learn—that wisdom is shared between a mentor and protégé? This exploratory, qualitative study responds to a call in the literature to better understand what occurs in mentoring interactions by examining storytelling as a mentoring tool. The focus is on how stories can convey meaning, inspire listeners, and transmit wisdom to help protégés grow, learn, and develop in their jobs and careers. Interview data from 39 professionals working in a wide variety of industries resulted in a rich data set of 48 work-related mentoring stories. Hermeneutical analysis enabled us to identify key mentoring functions that are fulfilled in the narrative text of stories. We conclude that storytelling is indeed a powerful tool in mentoring—allowing mentors to calm their protégés, encourage them, help them solve problems, build their confidence, teach them, give them direction, and provide numerous other functions.

Suggested Citation

  • Caroline P. D’Abate & Hali Alpert, 2017. "Storytelling in Mentoring: An Exploratory, Qualitative Study of Facilitating Learning in Developmental Interactions," SAGE Open, , vol. 7(3), pages 21582440177, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:7:y:2017:i:3:p:2158244017725554
    DOI: 10.1177/2158244017725554
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Scandura, T. A. & Viator, R. E., 1994. "Mentoring in public accounting firms: An analysis of mentor-protege relationships, mentorship functions, and protege turnover intentions," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 19(8), pages 717-734, November.
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