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 Can my boss be my mentor? I've worked with her for a few years on two separate occasions through out my career. I still consider myself a new managers with 5-10 years managing and have worked for some pretty ineffective bosses. My current boss gets it and is very insightful on effective performance guidance. The problem is there is always the fear of consequence with boss's role power and that could affect a mentor relationship. So can I have my cake and eat it too?

GlennR's picture

BLUF: No.

I participate as a mentor in my company's mentor program. We design the program so that mentees and mentors are not connected in any way, shape, or form. This allows for greater freedom of conversation. There will be times when a supervisor cannot tell a direct something. Mentors not in the same matrix don't have that problem.

That is not to say your boss can't give you advice. It's great you have an effective one. Listen to her and learn from her. But find another mentor.

Glenn