Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the types of power acquired by a mentee from his or her mentor during the mentoring process and to determine if a significant difference exists between the types of power acquired by male mentee vs. female mentee. An additional purpose was to determine it a significant difference exists between the types of power acquired by mentees with regard to the gender of the mentor. Methodology. This descriptive/ex post facto study was designed to identify types of power acquired by mentees from their mentors, as well as identify if a significant difference exists between the types of power acquired relating to (1) the gender of the mentee, and (2) the gender of the mentor. Using responses from a questionnaire, nominal and interval data were generated. Data were reported descriptively, using frequencies and percentages. Research questions were analyzed using Chi square and t-Test for Independent Samples. Major findings. (1) The most prominent type of power acquired from a mentor was connection power. (2) Connection power was acquired by mentees from their mentors to the greatest degree. (3) There was no significant difference found between the acquisition of legitimate, referent, expert, reward, coercive, information, or connection power from a mentor and the gender of the mentee. (4) Female mentees acquired legitimate, expert, and information power to a greater degree than male mentees. (5) More mentees acquired legitimate power when their mentors were male than those who had female mentors. (6) There was no significant difference found between the degree to which a mentee acquired specific types of power and the gender of the mentor. Conclusions and recommendations. Conclusions: (1) Mentors are an important source of power. (2) Mentors are very important for becoming and staying connected. (3) Coercive power is the least acquired by a mentee. (4) Power can be acquired by a mentee regardless of gender. (5) Female mentees acquired expert, information, and legitimate power to a greater degree for various reasons. (6) The acquisition of legitimate power from male mentors may be directly linked to greater numbers of males holding positions of power. Recommendations: (1) People who wish to see power, should seek a mentor. (2) Those wishing to seek specific types of power should not be concerned with the gender of the mentor.